Tasting - Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Name:	Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety:	82% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Syrah 5% Malbec 7% Other
Region:	Columbia Valley, Washington
Country:	United States
Year:	2021
Price:	$12

Winery Review:

We craft our Columbia Valley Cabernet to highlight concentrated Washington red fruit in an accessible style. This inviting cab is rich with red fruit flavor, the complexity and structure of this Cabernet Sauvignon remains delectable at every sip – especially when paired with beef, game or burgers.

Wine Folly: 

Cabernet Sauvignon (p. 88) The Ste. Michelle is rich with the black fruit and baking spice the book references, particularly black currant. Notably absent are cedar and graphite, and the strong fruit notes extend beyond black, to red. The Ste. Michelle is as full bodied and dry as predicted by Wine Folly, while perhaps without the level of tannin one might expect.

Washington - Cabernet Sauvignon (p. 298) The passage on Washington's Cabernet Sauvignons rings true with the Ste. Michelle. Black, boarding on red, fruit notes. This bottle originates north of the state's main Cab Sauv regions and lacks the creaminess and cedar that Wine Folly expects. Incidentally the Columbia Valley is known better for the "parent grapes" to the Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

My Review:

This bottle offers good value. For $12 the Ste. Michelle offers a convincing rational to Washington's growth as a producer of wine. The wine is full bodied and offers strong notes of black and red fruit with well balanced tannins. While I tasted this wine on its own it would pair perfectly with a flame-grilled cheeseburger. The wine would compliment the fatty red meat and fruity umami of melted cheddar or gouda. Overall I would recommend this offering from the Columbia Valley.