2007 Cabinet Riesling

Purchase 2007 Cabinet Riesling

Tasting Notes
“The inspiration for this wine came from a German Kabinett.  Ernst Loosen, our German winemaking partner on Eroica, and I were having dinner in Seattle last summer during one of his annual visits and we were enjoying his Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Kabinett Riesling from the Mosel with low alcohol of 7%.  It was perfect for a summer evening and easy to drink at the low alcohol.  I wondered out loud if we could make something like that here in Washington state.  It became an obsession of mine and during the 2007 harvest I wanted to find Riesling grapes that had good varietal flavor at lower sugars (which would equate to lower alcohol).  We searched and searched and found a vineyard in the cooler Yakima Valley owned by the Olsen family and harvested the grapes earlier at lower sugar (about 20 Brix) to achieve a lower alcohol style wine.  Although the inspiration for the wine is a German Kabinett, it is obviously not German so we took a literal translation and came up with our “Cabinet” Riesling.  From the winemaker’s secret cabinet we bring you a lower alcohol, light, refreshing, drink that you can have a second glass of on a perfect summer night.  I hope you enjoy it!”  -Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

Vintage

• The 2007 growing season was similar to the 2005 vintage – warm at the beginning and average temperatures throughout the rest of the season with excellent ripening conditions.
• In May, two weeks before bloom, we saw a week of 100 degree temperatures.  This heat spike lead to smaller canopy which allowed more light penetration and contributed to overall good flavor development in the fruit. The hot temperatures also resulted in smaller berries with concentrated flavors.
• Weather conditions during the summer and throughout harvest were ideal with mild to average temperatures.
• Mild temperatures in early September allowed Riesling to hold more natural acidity than in most other years in Washington.

Vineyards

• 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.
• A northerly latitude gives the Columbia Valley roughly two more hours of sunlight daily during the peak-growing season than California, increasing the region’s ability to ripen fruit.

Winemaking

• Riesling grapes were harvested starting on September 13th at the peak of flavor.
• Fermentation temperatures were maintained at 50-55 degrees F to preserve Riesling’s fresh and fruity character, using an assortment of yeasts for added complexity.
• We bottled the wine with a Stelvin screw cap to preserve the fresh and fruity character of the wine, making it the first Chateau Ste. Michelle wine bottled with a screw cap.

Technical Data

• Total acidity: 0.68g/100ml
• ph: 3.11
• Alcohol: 9.7%
• Blend: 100% Riesling
• Residual Sugar: 4.30g/100ml

Purchase 2007 Cabinet Riesling

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