2007 Red Blend Austral -- Chateau Ste. Michelle Shopping Cart
$19.99
-- fruit flavors meld nicely with hints of black licorice.
TASTING NOTES
“This Southern Rhone-style blend presents a lovely fusion of Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah. Jammy fruit flavors meld nicely with hints of black licorice. The addition of Syrah adds a polish on the finish. Although the fruit is still abundant, the complexity, warm spices and sweet tannins are what keep you coming back for another sniff – another sip.” - Joshua Maloney, Red 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.
VINEYARDS- 90% of the fruit was sourced from the Wahluke Slope, a warm region known for ripe, jammy reds and complex Rhone based varietals.
- Our most northern growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River and to the north by the Saddle Mountains.
- Of all areas that seem to mimic the climate and soils of the Rhone Valley, our Wahluke Slope does a great job, producing Rhone varietal based wines of strength and complex character.
- 10% of the fruit came from our Columbia Valley Vineyards.
WINEMAKING- Ripe grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with a variety of yeasts for maximum complexity.
- 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.
- Aged in French and American oak for 15 months.
TECHNICAL DATA- Alcohol: 14.7%
- Total Acidity: 0.58g /100ml
- pH: 3.89
- Blend: 54% Mourvedre, 35% Grenache, 11% Syrah
Other products in the category Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine / Columbia Valley:
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2006 Ethos Merlot --
91 pts Wine Advocate
delivers sweet raspberry and bright black cherry fruit character with elegant, dusty tannins.
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2008 Muscat Canelli -- a fan favorite in our winery’s retail shop, this wine makes a refreshing aperitif.
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2008 Viognier -- offers a crisp citrus and ginger finish with just the right amount of body.
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2006 Malbec -- fruit flavors give way to a caramel and blueberry finish.
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