Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Cabernet

Description

Tasting Notes Cabernet from this iconic 45-year-old vineyard consistently delivers power, structure and rich concentrated black fruit. The wine offers black cherry flavors and chocolate notes with typical Cold Creek density and user friendly power. This is 100% Cabernet because Cold Creek Cab shines on its own. – Bob Bertheau, WinemakerVintageThe 2013 growing season was warm and consistent throughout, perfect for the vines to ripen.Harvest started early in mid-August and extended into early November as fall brought cooler temperatures.The long, warm 2013 growing season resulted in beautifully ripe and balanced wines.VineyardsPlanted in 1973, the south-facing Cold Creek Vineyard is a warm, dry site with high heat accumulation.The low yielding old vines produce small clusters and small berries, resulting in intense varietal flavors and deep color.The sites weak, loamy sand and gravel soils with low-water holding capacity produce moderate crops and concentrated grapes.Cold Creek vineyard is LIVE and Salmon Safe certified.WinemakingRipe grapes were destemmed and sorted with a cutting-edge grape receiving and sorting system designed to gently remove any green material from the grapes, allowing for pure varietal expression and soft mouthfeel.Daily gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins.Frequent airative racking takes place during barrel aging to soften tannins and enhance mouthfeel.Aged for 22 months in American and French oak barrels, 32% new.- Chateau Ste. Michelle