2004 Columbia Valley Merlot

$16.99 -- 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.

Purchase 2004 Columbia Valley Merlot

Tasting Notes
“This is our serious yet approachable 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. It has the typical full structure of a Washington state Merlot but in a softer package for versatility and friendliness. Try with pasta marinara or beef kabobs……truly versatile! ”
-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

Sourced from Columbia Valley vineyards in eastern Washington, including our Cold Creek and Canoe Ridge Estate vineyards, as well as vineyards on the Wahluke Slope.
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.
Sandy soils with low fertility and low water-holding capacity enable precise control of vine growth.

Winemaking

2004 marks Bob Bertheau’s first red wine harvest for Chateau Ste. Michelle, having the red winemaking reins from start to finish for the first time.
His goal is to produce a softer mouthfeel and enhanced complexity in the
red wines, while highlighting Washington fruit character.
Ripe grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.
Gentle pumpovers during fermentation were used to extract color and
flavor and produce soft, supple tannins.
Aged 15 months in American and French oak, 30% new.
Bob used earlier drain times and restrained oak to achieve a more
approachable style for this wine.

Heritage of Acclaim

89 pts

Wine Spectator

****

Restaurant Wine

88 pts

Wine & Spirits

93 pts & “Top 10 Merlots”

Wine & Spirits

Technical Data

Total Acidity: .57g/100ml
pH: 3.65
Alcohol: 13.5%
Blend: 82% Merlot, 16% Syrah 2% Cabernet Sauvignon

Purchase 2004 Columbia Valley 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

2003 Indian Wells Merlot -- This is a lush and fleshy Merlot loaded with jammy, blackberry flavors..."

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