Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Almost opaque in the glass, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard boasts a firm, dense and juicy nose with notes of mocha, dark berries and dusty, resinous purple flowers. Medium to full-bodied, the Cabernet compresses on the palate, revealing a firm tannic edge with fine mineral tension before offering oak, brown baking spices and vanilla flavors. It concludes with a long, spiky, tannic finish. I recommend drinking it over the next six to eight years. Aged for 18 months, the oak profile includes 50% new French oak, 4% new American oak and 46% neutral French oak.
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Wine Enthusiast
The aromas show some reduction out of the gate. Beyond that are notes of coffee, char, berry and herb. Pleasing, well-balanced dark fruit and barrel flavors follow, backed by lightly grainy tannins. Decant.
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Wine Spectator
Structured and full of tension, this Cabernet features snappy blackberry, dusty mocha and spice flavors that build toward medium-grained tannins.
Chateau Ste. Michelle is the founding and oldest winery in Washington State. Established on December 5, 1933, Chateau Ste. Michelle is celebrating 90 years of being committed to quality grape growing and producing award winning wines. Washington’s oldest and most acclaimed winery features award-winning wines and unparalleled experiences at our historic Chateau. The wines interweave with the rich heritage to create a memorable wine experience.
The winemaking philosophy is to highlight the style, quality, and expression of Washington State. Always striving to respect the varietal characters and individuality of each location, yet still craft each wine for a pleasurable, food friend experience. Quality is the driving force at Chateau Ste. Michelle. The winery has spent decades investing in quality vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, the finest winemaking equipment, and world-class, top winemaking talent. This commitment to quality has led Chateau Ste. Michelle to earn some of the highest accolades in the industry today.
24 "Winery of the Year" Honors from Wine & Spirits
18 "Top 100" Wines from Wine Spectator
Washington produces so many exciting wines, and that definitely includes Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 10,000 acres under vine, Cabernet Sauvignon is now the most widely-grown varietal in the state. Terrific examples hail from sub-appellations like Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope, Horse Heaven Hills and Walla Walla Valley. One of the fascinations of these Columbia Valley Cabs is that they so often seem to have one foot in the New World and one in the Old. Representing the former are characteristics like the ripe, forward fruit that results from long sunny days during the growing season (up to two hours longer than in much of California). Old World similarities include an undeniable brightness from acidity, as well as notes of herbs, graphite and a dusty, sometimes gravelly minerality.
Whether you’re looking for a budget bottle for everyday enjoyment, or a stellar, world-class wine with tremendous aging potential, Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines can deliver the goods! Among the many fine options are bottles from Columbia Crest, Chateau Ste. Michelle, L’ecole #41, Quilceda Creek and Leonetti.