WINEMAKER NOTES

“Artist Series is the ultimate sculpted wine created by blending amazing Washington fruit. The 2009 represents a perfect harmony of elegance from our Canoe Ridge Estate vineyard and the power of our Cold Creek vineyard. The blend includes all five Bordeaux grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The result is a multi-layered, complex and harmonious wine. Canoe Ridge Estate fruit contributes elegance, structure and fine-grained tannins while Cold Creek vineyard lends concentrated, old vine intensity.” – Bob Bertheau, Winemaker

THE ART OF WINE

Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Artist Series Meritage red wine celebrates the inspired collaboration between artisan winemaking and fine art. 2009 featured artist Andre Petterson’s vision is capturing the essence of a spiltsecond of time on canvas. Starting with a photograph, he painstakingly applies paint and ink and sometimes paper. “There is an element of chance as I can’t undo what I paint. Then I apply many coats of clear. More paint. More clear. Sometimes what looks like a photo is paint. Sometimes the reverse.” For more information about the artist, visit fosterwhite.com.

VINTAGE

• The 2009 growing season was ideal with dry, warm weather and lots of sunshine.
• The season started a week late in blooming, but caught up as the perfect ripening weather lasted through September.
• The weather was not too hot, which allowed grapes to retain their natural acidity.
  

• Fruit from our vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA made up more than half of the blend (89%), contributing elegant fruit and silky tannins.
• Planted in 1991, the vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate lies on a steep, wind-swept south-facing slope on the bank of the Columbia River.
• The balance of the fruit (11%) came from our Cold CreekVineyard, one of the oldest and warmest sites in Washington.
• Planted in 1973, the low yielding old vines of Cold Creek produce small clusters and small berries, resulting in intense varietal flavors and deep color.
  

• Fermented in small lots for maximum flexibility during blending.
• Daily gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins.
• The pumpovers vary by block, tank and day of fermentation. Every ferment is tasted daily to evaluate the evolution of the tannins, modify extraction techniques and find the right moment to drain the wine off of its skins.
• Aged for 20 months in 45% new French oak, 30% new American oak and 25% neutral oak barrels.

• Alcohol: 15%
• Total Acidity: 0.46g /100ml
• pH: 3.92
• Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
• Cases produced: 2,210