Winemaker Notes
To further complement a cool vintage that already provided wines with remarkable finesse and purity of expression, I carefully selected vineyards renowned for complexity and restrained intensity. Striking dark cherry cassis and blackberry aromas perfectly capture in this 2017 Washington Cabernet.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Concentrated aromas of leather, blackberry and tobacco. Full-bodied with tight tannins. Focused. Rich black and red-fruit core with a pleasant, earthy finish. 97% cabernet sauvignon and 3% syrah.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Dark, dense and chewy, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Ethos Reserve displays a deep ruby core and is firm and dusty before offering up aromas of intense roasted red peppers. Medium to full-bodied, dusted red and purple flowers flow across the palate with elements of graphite and a firm tannic edge that will need additional time in a bottle yet will remain food-friendly for more than a decade. Be patient. Rating: 92+
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Wine Enthusiast
The aromas announce themselves, with notes of coffee, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla and black cherry, with fruit and barrel intertwining. The palate is sharply etched with dark-fruit flavors, and there are plentiful oak accents.
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.