2003 Indian Wells Merlot

$17.99 -- This is a lush and fleshy Merlot loaded with jammy, blackberry flavors..."

Purchase 2003 Indian Wells Merlot

Tasting Notes

“This is a lush and fleshy Merlot loaded with jammy, blackberry flavors that are characteristic of warm climate Wahluke Slope fruit. The 2003 Indian Wells Merlot is a fruit driven, New World style wine.”
- Bob Bertheau, Winemaker

Vintage

Dry, warm weather throughout the growing season in 2003 created excellent ripening conditions.
Modest precipitation in August and September helped cool down the vineyards, slowed down ripening and allowed grapes to benefit from extra hang time.
At harvest, fruit had reached full maturity, with intense flavors, good sugar development and high natural acidity.

Vineyards

Sourced from vineyards throughout the Wahluke Slope in Washington state, including our Indian Wells Vineyard.
Our most northern growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River.
Indian Wells Vineyard, which contributed 31% of the Merlot for this wine, is a very warm site with a long growing season.
The site’s loamy, sandy well-draining soils allow vine growth to be meticulously controlled through drip irrigation and canopy management.
The region is a consistent producer of high quality, ripe fruit, yielding wine with intense color and flavor.

Winemaking

The 2003 vintage marks the first red wines made by Bob Bertheau for Chateau Ste. Michelle. His mission is to produce a softer mouthfeel and enhanced complexity in the red wines, while highlighting the ripe, jammy character of Wahluke Slope fruit.
Ripe grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.
Twice daily gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins.
Aged in predominately American oak, 58% new, for 18 months.
Frequent airative racking took place during barrel aging to soften tannins and enhance mouthfeel.

Technical data

Alcohol....14.1%
pH.... 3.66
Total Acidity.... 0.56g/100ml
Blend.... 77% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 2% Sangiovese

Purchase 2003 Indian Wells Merlot

Other products in the category Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine / Red Wines:

2003 Columbia Valley Syrah -- The 2003 Syrah is a fruit-driven wine with ripe berry and exotic spice characters.

2003 Ethos Merlot -- "Power, concentration, complexity, refinement..."
6 bottle purchase limit

2004 Artist Series Boxed Set -- Three Bottle Collectors Box
Includes one each of the three different Artist Series labels

2004 Artist Series Meritage -- "...aromas of black cherry, plum and cedar, with elegant tannins..."

2004 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot -- Winter 2007 Selection
"complex aromas of black cherries, leather, dried herbs"

2004 Chateau Ste Michelle Red Blend Orphelin -- "On the palate, candied cherries and ripe strawberries abound offering an enticing, complex mouthfeel and a smiling finish"

2004 Cold Creek Syrah -- "The wine exhibits a full, rich and chewy midpalate with a long, savory finish."

2004 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon -- The 2004 Cab delivers aromas of blackberries and boysenberry preserves with vanilla and cedar notes.

2004 Ethos Merlot -- "Black cherry, plum, cocoa, leather, cedar and dried herb aromas..."

2005 Artist Series Meritage -- This is the ultimate sculpted wine, showcasing the power and elegance of Washington fruit.

2005 Artist Series Meritage - Box Set -- This is the ultimate sculpted wine, showcasing the power and elegance of Washington fruit.

2005 Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon -- "...delivers black cherry fruit, spicy oak, leather and sweet caramel characters."

2005 Canoe Ridge Estate Syrah -- This elegant Syrah is smoky and earthy on the nose, and bursts with bright marionberry flavors wrapped in silky tannins.

2005 Chateau Ste Michelle Red Blend Orphelin -- "On the palate, candied cherries and ripe strawberries abound offering an enticing, complex mouthfeel and a smiling finish"

2005 Col Solare Red Blend 1.5 mL -- "Aromas of black cherry, berry and dark chocolate..."

2005 Col Solare Red Blend 750 mL -- "Aromas of black cherry, berry and dark chocolate..."

2005 Cold Creek Cabernet Sauvignon -- The 2005 bottling offers dense aromas of boysenberry and brown sugar spice with layers of fruit with nicely integrated, yet very age-worthy, tannins.

2005 Cold Creek Vineyard Merlot -- Cold Creek’s 30-year-old vines deliver big, bold, concentrated Merlot.

2005 Ethos Syrah -- As the pinnacle tier for Chateau Ste. Michelle, the Ethos Syrah offers a rich mouthful of jammy blackberry fruit with layers of complexity and depth.

2005 Grenache -- This exuberant wine exhibits concentrated flavors of bright strawberry with grapefruit notes and a clean finish. Try it with pork tenderloin or a rich salmon dish!”

2005 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon -- The wine exudes sweet blackberry pie and vanilla aromas and flavors with loads of complexity.

2005 Malbec Vineyard Select -- Sweet vanilla, spice and cream grace the nose, while red fruit flavors give way to a caramel and blueberry

2005 Red Blend Austral -- Dark fruit flavors and strawberry notes greet the palate and finishes with hints of cigar box and earthy tannins.

2005 Red Blend Boreal -- This wine finishes with a silky texture, brisk tannins and wonderful complexity.

2005 Wahluke Slope Syrah -- Hints of warm boysenberry fruit and roasted espresso grace this soft Syrah.

2006 Cinsault -- "...pomegranate fruit flavors enhanced by a zesty, white pepper spice."

2007 Nellie's Garden Dry Rose

2004 Indian Wells Merlot -- The 2004 Indian Wells Merlot displays ripe black cherry aromas and jammy flavors integrated with layers of star anise.

2004 Columbia Valley Merlot -- The wine shows complex aromas of black cherries, red licorice and a touch of cedar. The voluminous yet racy midpalate emphasizes sweet fruit, with a lingering cherry finish.