Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This 100% varietal from one of the state’s oldest vineyards brims with aromas of dark roasted coffee, char, bittersweet chocolate and black cherry. Flavors show plenty of concentration and depth with a lingering, cocoa and vanilla-filled finish.
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Decanter
Dense, smoky, dark fruits on nose with some savoury characteristics and a touch of eucalyptus. Rich, punchy and zesty.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Also impressive, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1973 and a south-facing, warm site located in the Columbia Valley. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 21 months in 77% new French and American oak, it has outstanding notes of black raspberries, smoked meats, a hint of minerality and ground herbs. Medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant and nicely concentrated, it has a forward, delicious and balanced feel that makes it ideal for drinking over the coming 7-8 years.
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Wine & Spirits
Here’s a cabernet with sumptuous oak accents, from cedar to caramel and coffee. The structure is oak-driven as well, an ample frame for the dark plum and cassis elements provided by Cold Creek, one of Ste. Michelle’s older estate vineyards.
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.