2004 Artist Series Boxed Set

$156.00 -- Three Bottle Collectors Box
Includes one each of the three different Artist Series labels

Purchase 2004 Artist Series Boxed Set

The Art of Wine
Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Artist Series Meritage red wine celebrates the inspired collaboration between artisan winemaking and fine art. This twelfth vintage of Artist Series Meritage showcases the work of Northwest artist Alden Mason. For over half a century, Alden Mason has reflected his private world of improvisation, spontaneity and humor in painting. The images are often figurative, organic personal totems which in closer view become highly abstract. His works are a reflection of his lifelong travels and interest in tribal art. For more information about the artist, visit fosterwhite.com.

Tasting Notes
”The 2004 Artist Series Meritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot from the Columbia Valley. Each variety contributes a special attribute to the blend, resulting in a complex wine with aromas of black cherry, plum and cedar, with elegant tannins and rich concentrated flavors and a lingering finish.”
-Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

Vintage

A hot growing season in 2004 followed by a cool fall created a longer harvest, resulting in wines with ripe, rich flavors.
Hot, dry weather from bud break to mid-August prompted the earliest harvest start on record, beginning August 16.
Cool temperatures and intermittent light rain in mid-September slowed ripening and extended hang time.
Warm temperatures and dry weather resumed in early October through harvest’s end with final berries being picked in early November.

Vineyards

Half of the fruit for the blend came from our vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
46% of the fruit was sourced from premium vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, including our Cold Creek Vineyard.
Columbia Valley vineyards lie in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and receive just 6-8 inches of rainfall annually.
Warm, sunny days and cool evening temperatures create ideal conditions for intense aroma and flavor development in the ripening grapes.
A small amount of Petit Verdot (4%) from the Wahluke Slope added intense color and concentrated fruit.

Winemaking

Fermented in small lots for maximum flexibility during blending.
Twice daily pumpovers for optimal flavor and color extraction.
Gravity racked to clarify and soften the wine.
Aged for 20 months in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels, 73% new.

Heritage of Acclaim

****, Four stars-Restaurant Wine (2002 vintage)
91 points, The Wine Advocate (2001 vintage)
90 points, Wine Spectator (2000 vintage)

Technical Data
Alcohol..........14.0%
Total............0.62g /100ml
Acidity..........pH 3.72
Blend............51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot

Purchase 2004 Artist Series Boxed Set

Other products in the category Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine / Artist Series Meritage:

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

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.