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<H1>2005 Cold Creek Merlot -- Chateau Ste. Michelle Shopping Cart</H1>
<B>$29.99</B>
-- <I><p class="rating">90 pts Wine Advocate</p>shows flavors of dark fruit and mocha accented by brown sugar spice with a full throttled finish.</I>
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<IMG SRC="https://store.nexternal.com/csm/images/cc_merlot.gif" ALIGN=right ALT="2005 Cold Creek Merlot" NAME="2005 Cold Creek Merlot" BORDER=0 HSPACE=10>
<p><b>TASTING NOTES</b><br />“Cold Creek’s 30-year-old vines deliver big, bold, concentrated Merlot. The 2005 shows flavors of dark fruit and mocha accented by brown sugar spice with a full throttled finish and ageable tannins. We lowered the impact of new oak this vintage to let that concentrated Cold Creek Merlot really show through!”- <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> Planted in the early 1970s, Cold Creek Vineyard is one of Washington’s oldest and most acclaimed vineyards.</li>
<li>Located 38 miles east of Yakima, Washington; south of the Columbia River and Wahluke Slope.</li>
<li>Cold Creek Vineyard enjoys one of the longest and warmest growing seasons in the Columbia Valley.</li>
<li>Low yielding old vines produce small clusters and small berries, resulting in intense varietal flavors and deep color.</li>
<li>The site’s silty loam soil and the area’s low annual rainfall force the vines to struggle, producing fruit with concentrated flavors and aromas.</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 power and concentration of Cold Creek 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 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 in French and American oak, 47% new, for 18 months.</li>
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<strong>TECHNICAL DATA</strong><li>Alcohol: 14.3%</li>
<li>Total Acidity: 0.56g /100ml</li>
<li>pH: 3.67</li>
<li>Blend: 94% Cold Creek Merlot, 6% Cold Creek Cabernet Sauvignon</li>
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<strong>FOOD PAIRINGS</strong><li><b>Foods:</b> lamb, pasta, beef, fowl</li>
<li><b>Herbs:</b> basil, oregano, rosemary</li>
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