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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2014 and 2019 (based on 10 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 86.8 pts. and median of 87 pts. in 41 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by MSheridan on 11/19/2023 & rated 85 points: still a bit heavy and clumsy. Fruit is ripe and oak is still very present. I was hoping this would have mellowed out a lot more at 13 years but still not there. Will it ever get there though ? (107 views) | | | Tasted by DanielOsman on 1/22/2021 & rated 70 points: This wine has only one characteristic, oak/vanilla. Tip it away. Wouldn't even use in cooking. (879 views) | | | Tasted by Klainetal on 1/12/2020 & rated 82 points: Fruit forward. Cherry. No tannins. Not remarkable (1096 views) | | | Tasted by MSheridan on 9/14/2019 & rated 87 points: deep and smokey. I last tried this 4 years back and it surprisingly hasn’t changed much at all. Concentrated fruit and and fairly strong punch of oak giving a sweetness. A little OTT for me (1130 views) | | | Tasted by pgm on 3/31/2017 & rated 90 points: An indulgent, delicious wine. Red cherry fruit with chocolate notes, maybe a bit of a parody of merlot, but it's fine, well made, tastes properly and is great drinking, so I'd never hold that against it. (2415 views) | | | Tasted by Klainetal on 10/16/2016 & rated 86 points: Still very fruit forward. Bursting with cherries. Has sat quite well. (2405 views) | | | Tasted by MSheridan on 11/12/2015 & rated 88 points: Very heavy on vanilla from the oak. Masks the flavour of the fruit Which does present itself towards the end
This will appeal to those with a bit of a sweet tooth. Hoping the vanilla might fade with time (2414 views) | | | Tasted by ewisor on 5/12/2015 & rated 86 points: Still a bit too much oak initially but it burned off to reveal modest dark fruits. Nicely balanced and smooth - no rough edges on the palette here. Finish was a somewhat short. (2585 views) | | | Tasted by mlgroves on 10/29/2014: sorbet (3163 views) | | | Tasted by jamieirving on 8/15/2014 & rated 90 points: Savoury, full bodied, chewy merlot. Great finish (2427 views) | | | Tasted by Eric.Sheffler on 12/22/2013 & rated 84 points: Disappointing. Bold and intense Merlot - too much so in my opinion. (2983 views) | | | Tasted by wintergreen on 10/29/2013 & rated 90 points: nose: dark, deep, seductive berries and subtle wood. smoky dark roast coffee and licorice.
palate: dark, spicy, concentrated, fruity, but dry and silky. well integrated, elegant and complex. powerful tannins show up at the end. very long and intense finish.
a touch heavy/overoaked, otherwise tasty and intense. could use a year or two to soften the tannins. (2746 views) | | | Tasted by Zo65 on 9/6/2013 & rated 83 points: Extremely oakey with little varietal character or interest. Disappointing. (3086 views) | | | Tasted by Jobu on 8/24/2013: Seems a bit tight right now. Oak and tannins dominate initially, with some dark fruit and cocoa. Opened up a bit after an hour or so. Not sure if it'll live up to the WS score, but it has some potential to get better with time. (2403 views) | | | Tasted by aruddy on 7/6/2013 & rated 86 points: Too oaky for me. (2440 views) | | | Tasted by jmcmchi on 6/15/2013 & rated 88 points: developing rapidly since last tasting. Nose muted at this point. Tannins more forward and noticeable (first glass from bottle) and soft fruits dominate the palate. Initial feel soft with tannin and spice finish (1701 views) | | | Tasted by jmcmchi on 4/28/2013 & rated 87 points: Tight on nose. Soft on palate tannins come out on mid-long spicy finish. Dark fruits hit the back of the tongue as the tannins bite (1446 views) | | | Tasted by Mark3548 on 12/15/2012 & rated 86 points: Drying tannins took the score down a few notches. Decanted for an hour, was still drying and tannic. Some fruit was there, but for a merlot this was pretty unforgiving. I don't think time will help a whole lot--maybe the cool growing season kept things just a bit underripe? (2333 views) | | | Tasted by esb on 11/17/2012: Way too much oak has generalized the fruit. Very nice otherwise. With time may absorb some wood but it's a gamble. Drinks better than expected for its age but will improve. Very good for the style. (2286 views) | | | Tasted by Chilgenfeld on 11/4/2012 & rated 87 points: Spice on the nose with blackberry / cherry taste on the tongue. Balanced acidity with a tannin finish. (2230 views) | | | Tasted by mreinitz on 10/23/2012 & rated 88 points: This bottle was better than the last one we had...richer and more expansive. Dark berry fruit and plenty of oak. (2434 views) | | | Tasted by mreinitz on 9/6/2012 & rated 87 points: Dark fruit and a lot of oak. We popped and poured -- perhaps it might have gained some richness if we had decanted it. (2369 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| i-WineReview.com, Report 38: The Wines of Washington State (9/1/2013)
(Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Canoe Ridge Estate Horse Heaven Hills) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Brook
Decanter, Expert's Choice: Washington (2/5/2013)
(Chateau Ste Michelle, Canoe Ridge Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Sean Sullivan
Washington Wine Report (12/31/2012)
(Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills) A moderately aromatic wine with the oak at the fore with cedar and penetrating vanilla notes followed by fresh raspberries as the wine opens. The palate is light bodied with abundant oak flavors while retaining a pleasing freshness. Tannins become considerably more prominent as the wine opens up. 89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 18 months in 19% new French and 41% new American oak. 14.5% alcohol. 6,000 cases produced. Sample provided by winery. *** points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of i-WineReview.com and Decanter and Washington Wine Report. (manage subscription channels) |
| Chateau Ste. Michelle Producer website2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Canoe Ridge Estate VineyardTechnical Data (From Winery)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 0.46g/100ml
pH: 3.87
Blend: 89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cases Produced: 6,000
MerlotMerlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Horse Heaven Hills About AVA (Wikipedia) |
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