2004 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot

Purchase 2004 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot

Tasting Notes
“This is our refined and elegant Merlot with plenty of Washington concentration. The 2004 bottling exhibits complex aromas of black cherries, leather, dried herbs with dusty, restrained tannins. This wine showcases that perfect Horse Heaven appellation balanced style. The bottom line is that Canoe Ridge Estate
really does Merlot right! Try this one with chicken parmigana or a pork tenderloin.” -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

• The vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate lies on a steep south-facing slope on the bank of the Columbia River in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
• The site’s proximity to the river protects it from temperature extremes, allowing uniform ripening and excellent color development.
• Soils are sandy with bits of cobblestone and have low waterholding capacity, enabling precise control of vine growth through drip irrigation and canopy management.
• The site enjoys an early bud break and a long growing season.

Winemaking

• 2004 marks Bob Bertheau’s first red wine harvest for Chateau Ste. Michelle, where he managed the red winemaking from start to finish for the first time. His goal is to produce a softer mouthfeel and enhanced complexity for the red wines, while highlighting the elegance of Canoe Ridge Estate fruit.
• Ripe grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.
•  Twice daily pumpovers helped extract color and flavor during fermentation.
• Aged in French and American oak, 69% new, for 18 months.
• Frequent airative racking took place during barrel aging to soften tannins and enhance mouthfeel.

Technical Data

• Total acidity: 0.54g/100ml
• ph: 3.75
• Alcohol: 14.2%
• Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Purchase 2004 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot

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