A friend who is from here originally but now lives in the Seattle area brought these to share. I had not had any of Chateau Ste. Michelle's upper tier wines before, so this was a treat.
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Gewurztraminer, Oak Oval, Yakima Valley 2016
Pale silvery yellow with a hint of green. Extraordinary nose, very deep, with pear and lots of rich, dense stone fruit, petrol, white flowers, lots of mineral, and potent peppercorn notes (so potent you can feel them in your nose and throat). On the palate, rich d’Anjou pear, potent, fleshy plum and nectarine, generous honey notes, salty mineral, and and an array of potent peppercorn notes, all with citrus / orange rind notes. Intensely full bodied, bone dry, rich and fleshy in texture, and incredibly long. Absolutely extraordinary, the best Gewurztraminer I have ever had. Wow! 10 to maybe 20 years ahead. Less than 294 cases produced. 4.5 Stars [7/21/18]
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Meritage, Columbia Valley 2011
Great color, warm, nearly opaque ruby. Outstanding nose, black cherry, blackberry, cassis, mint, savory tomato paste, with lots of leather, tobacco, and excellent, gravelly, chocolatey earth, pungent but fresh, deep and dense. On the palate, a compote of blackberry, blueberry, and blackcherry upfront, followed by cassis, plum, savory plum tomato, Cab Franc style herbaceous notes, with lots of cured tobacco, chocolatey earth, and lots of dense mineral. Full bodied, with a sweet, very savory dense texture, with excellent, fresh acid balance. Outstanding. 10 years ahead. 72% Cab Sauv, 25% Merlot, 2% Cab Franc, 1% Malbec. 4 Stars [7/21/18]
Dr. Loosen & Chateau Ste. Michelle, Eroica, Riesling Ice Wine, Horse Heaven Hills 2014
Nice color, light glistenny, golden yellow. Excellent nose, honey and white flowers and orchard fruits, with lots of petrol, citrus oil, and some botrytis style cinnamon and mace. Similar notes on the palate, very sweet, but with with citrusy, steely acidity, loads of wonderful fresh honey notes, and lots of white pepper. Medium-full with a lingering, spicy finish, and a nice viscous texture. Exceptional; excellent quality. 10 years ahead. 3.5 Stars [7/21/18]