Rieslings from Chateau Ste. Michelle, WA

[wondersofwine]

One of the seminars I attended at the Pinehurst Food and Wine Festival over Labor Day weekend.
1. Columbia Crest Two Vines Riesling 2005
This had some residual sugar and was a semi-dry Riesling that might appeal to someone used to drinking sodas. This and the second wine are large production and large sales.

2. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2005
More aroma than #1. It is being made in a dryer style now than in the past. Crisper with some green apple. World's largest individual production of Riesling at 575,000 cases! CSM uses some grapes from estates they own and also contracts with other growers.

3. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling "Indian Wells" 2005--cool fermented in stainless steel--grapes grown in a very warm and dry climate. This and the Cold Creek (#4) could be cellared for 3-5 years and will not fade.
2005 is the first release of Indian Wells Riesling.

4. Chateau St. Michelle Riesling "Cold Creek" 2005. Cold Creek vineyard enjoys one of the longest and warmest growing seasons in the Columbia Valley. This is the oldest vineyard of the CSM Riesling vineyards. The wine has almost a spicy element with a crisp finish. I liked wines 3-5 better than the less expensive first two. The Cold Creek Riesling gives a nice dry impression.

5. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling "Eroica" 2005. The joint venture with Dr. Loosen of Germany. The wine is made primarily of selected lots from the cooler regions of the Yakima Valley with resources coming from CSM's Horse Heaven Vineyard (a familiar name to offliners from last year's trip to Prosser) and adding a new vineyard source from north of Wahluke Slope AVA. Berries go direct to press, then the juice is cool fermented. It produces a full-bodied Riesling with a long finish. Sells for about $20-25 a bottle according to George Foote, the speaker.

We also got some background with slides on the Washington AVAs and soil and temperature differences around the Columbia Valley, etc.

[dananne]

On the drive back to Portland last month, we took a different route and drove through their vineyards. We've always liked the Cold Creek stuff. Nice notes.