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<h1>2006 Columbia Valley Merlot -- Chateau Ste. Michelle Shopping Cart</h1>
<b>$14.99</b>
-- <i>aromas and flavors of black cherry, cola, leather and spice.</i>
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<img src="https://store.nexternal.com/csm/images/cv_merlot1.gif" align="right" alt="2006 Columbia Valley Merlot" name="2006 Columbia Valley Merlot" border="0" hspace="10" />
<p><b>TASTING NOTES</b><br />"We craft this wine to be our complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit and cola flavors. I think of this inviting wine as a great <i>everyday red</i>." -<em>Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker</em></p>
<ul>
<b>VINTAGE</b><li>2006 was a year of extremes in weather.</li>
<li>A cooler than normal, wet spring was followed by a very long, hot summer.</li>
<li>The weather was nearly ideal during the growing season. Summer fell into a consistent pattern of dry weather, warm days and cool nights.</li>
<li>A cool spell in mid-September slowed things down and allowed more hang time for enhanced flavor development.<br /></li>
</ul>
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<b>VINEYARDS</b><li>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.</li>
<li>Columbia Valley vineyards lie in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and receive just 6-8 inches of rainfall annually.</li>
<li>Warm, sunny days and cool evening temperatures create ideal conditions for intense aroma and flavor development in the ripening grapes.</li>
<li>Sandy soils with low fertility and low water-holding capacity enable precise control of vine growth.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<b>WINEMAKING</b><li>Winemaker Bob Bertheau’s goal is to produce a softer mouthfeel and enhanced complexity in the red wines, while highlighting Washington fruit character.</li>
<li>Ripe grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.</li>
<li>Daily gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins. The pumpovers can vary by block, tank and day of fermentation. Every ferment is tasted every day to evaluate the evolution of the tannins, modify extraction techniques and find the right moment to drain the wine off of its skins.</li>
<li>Aged 15 months in American and French oak.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<b>Technical Data</b><li>Total Acidity: .53g/100ml</li>
<li>pH: 3.74</li>
<li>Alcohol: 13.5%</li>
<li>Blend: 82% Merlot, 13% Syrah 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec<br /></li>
</ul>
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