Medium gold color; white peach, pear, apricot, lemon-lime, green apple, honey on the nose and palate.
Dry, with hint of riesling sweetness adroitly balanced by crisp, pleasing acidity (3.12 pH). Rich, full mouthfeel. Clean, vibrant, medium body. Impressive balance Consistently one of the best value buys in the wine world, and this vintage upholds that tradition. 13% ABV
The 2021 vintage was warm and it concentrated flavors. Fortunately, cool nights at harvest helped preserve acidity, although the 2021 effort is slightly less crisp than previous. The delicious fruit more than makes up for any slight—and certainly slight—reduction in acidity. Wine fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve freshness and fruit brightness. The result is an extremely versatile wine you confidently can pour almost any time and anywhere.
Grapes come from vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley. Vines are planted on their own rootstock, helping maintain the health and longevity of the vineyards and preserving the grape variety in its natural state without the influence of grafted roots. All vineyards earn certified sustainable agriculture and enjoy salmon safe recognition; 100% riesling grapes. People often think of Washington and rain, but the winemaking is done in the near-desert eastern part of the state. Lying beyond the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, the vineyards only get 6-8 inches of rainfall each year.
Chateau Ste. Michelle started as a hunting retreat and rural farm (called “Hollywood Farm”) built by lumber baron Frederick Stimson. The wine operation started in 1954 as the “American Wine Company” after the merger of the the Pomerelle Wine Company and the National Wine Company. The National Wine Company was founded in 1934 and is the date Ste. Michelle claims for its founding. Today, Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington’s oldest and largest winery.
Until recently, Chateau Ste. Michelle was owned by Altria, the company formerly known as Phillip Morris. In 2021, Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm, bought the company for $1.2 billion. In the years since, the winery has sold off California properties, cut production, closed its iconic winery, and moved production to eastern Washington where the grapes are grown. The winery is in a state of flux, shrinkage, and re-positioning. The wine world holds it breath while awaiting the impact of its strategic shifts. In any event, this wine was made under the old regime.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley 2021 has long set the standard for high quality and amazing value in riesling. Incredibly delicious—wait, not incredible, Ste. Michelle has delivered this amazing value, wonderful riesling for years. Credibility firmly established. If you have never tried this, you are missing out. Ideal for a clean, refreshing afternoon sip well chilled to help bid high temps adieu. Works as an aperitif or a versatile sipper on porch, patio, picnic, pool side. Pair with shellfish; light fish; sushi and sashimi; pork; poultry; spicy food; cured meats; pasta dishes; charcuterie board. Cheese—camembert, brie, edam, emmental, havarti. $10-14
