Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling 2011

"Fresh and vital, with juicy pear and floral flavors that play against lemony acidity. Dry finish."

88 Points

Wine Spectator

"Smooth and dry with juicy lime and racy fruit; fresh, clean and steely."

88 Points

Tasting Panel

"For thoughts on Chateau Ste Michelle's uniqueness and recent evolution, consult my extensive April, 2013 text designed to introduce recent tasting notes. As a striking sign of changing times, Ste Michelle has for a decade been making the cuvee of which the most recent installment I tasted is a 2011 Dry Riesling, yet it was only five years ago that they perceived the need to put it into regular distribution outside the Pacific Northwest. Orange blossom and candied orange rind, sage and peach make for an impression halfway between classic Riesling and Muscat, and while this is ample and plush, it in fact harbors only 12% alcohol, and certainly ample refreshment. Piquancy of melon rind and orange zest compliment the juiciness of a sustained if phenolically rather aggressive finish that incorporates a real ping – unsurprising given that the pH dipped below three. This outstanding value leans primarily on fruit from Evergreen Vineyard (described in my issue 203 report on Charles Smith's amazing-value – but very differently-styled – Kung Fu Girl). I suspect it will be best drunk over the next couple of years before bitterness gets the upper-hand. 'We're looking for lots that have volume but are dry,' explains Bertheau of the principle of selection, adding that 'we do the blend for this with Erni (Loosen) the day after we finish the Eroica, and utilize lots that didn’t make the cut for that bottling. We’re not looking for Eroica (-style) wine, though, because that has more restraint. You might say we’re tending toward the bigger parts of the Eroica blend.'"

87 Points

The Wine Advocate