Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Cabernet Sauvignon
from Columbia Valley, Washington
winemaker's notes:
The Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate ripe, jammy, "New World" style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2006 blend really typifies the Wahluke Slope region with upfront, dark fruit aromas and flavors with hints of vanilla. Vineyards in the area are more than a decade old now and showing character and complexity.
Pair with foods such as stuffed peppers, blue
cheese, duck, beef, veal and dark chocolate; herbs such as mustard, paprika, rosemary and thyme; or spices such as allspice, cloves, ginger, mace and nutmeg.
critical acclaim:
"The purple-colored 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells (with 10% Syrah included) was sourced from the Wahluke Slope and Indian Wells Vineyard and aged for 18-20 months in predominantly new French and American oak. The nose reveals smoke, spice box, violets, black cherry, and black currant. This leads to a dense, sweet, layered Cabernet with enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for another 2-3 years. It will offer prime drinking from 2011 to 2018."
90 Points
The Wine Advocate
"Velvety in texture, with ripe currant and purple plum aromas and flavors that float nicely over fine-grained tannins, lingering gently. Drink now through 2013. 25,000 cases made."
88 Points
Wine Spectator