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<h1>2005 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot -- Chateau Ste. Michelle Shopping Cart</h1>
<b>$24.99</b>
-- <i><p class="rating">92 pts Wine News | 91 pts Wine Enthusiast</p>complex aromas of black cherries and spice with dusty, restrained tannins.</i>
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<p><b>TASTING NOTES</b><br />“The Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot is a refined and elegant Merlot with plenty of Washington concentration. The 2005 bottling exhibits complex aromas of black cherries and spice with dusty, restrained tannins. This is a medium-bodied versatile wine with food and will not overwhelm your meal or your palate, just your taste buds!”-<em>Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker</em> </p>
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<b>VINTAGE</b><li>The 2005 harvest tested our winemaker’s patience, but ultimately delivered excellent quality fruit.</li>
<li>The growing season started cool, followed by 90+ degree days in July and August.</li>
<li>September brought cool and constant weather, which extended the season, allowing grapes extra time to ripen on the vine and enhance flavor development.</li>
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<b>VINEYARDS</b><li>The vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate lies on a steep south-facing slope on the bank of the Columbia River in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA.</li>
<li>The site’s proximity to the river protects it from temperature extremes,<br />allowing uniform ripening and excellent color development.</li>
<li>Soils are sandy with bits of cobblestone and have low water-holding capacity, enabling precise control of vine growth through drip irrigation and canopy management.</li>
<li>The site typically enjoys an early bud break and a long growing season.</li>
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<b>WINEMAKING</b><li>Winemaker Bob Bertheau’s goal is to produce a softer mouthfeel and enhanced complexity in the red wines, while highlighting the elegance of Canoe Ridge Estate fruit.</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 flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins. The pumpovers can 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.</li>
<li>Aged in French and American oak for 18 months.</li>
<li>Frequent aerative racking took place during barrel aging to soften tannins and enhance mouthfeel.</li>
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<b>TECHNICAL DATA<br /></b><li>Total acidity: 0.48g/100ml </li>
<li>pH: 3.74</li>
<li>Alcohol: 14.3% </li>
<li>Blend: 96% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% other</li>
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