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<h1>2005 Red Blend Austral - Limited Release -- Chateau Ste. Michelle Shopping Cart</h1>
<b>$29.99</b>
-- <i>dark fruit flavors and strawberry notes greet the palate</i>
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<img src="https://store.nexternal.com/csm/images/austral.gif" align="right" alt="2005 Red Blend Austral - Limited Release" name="2005 Red Blend Austral - Limited Release" border="0" hspace="10" />
<p><b>TASTING NOTES</b> <br />“This Southern Rhone-style blend presents a warm fusion of Syrah, Mourvedre,<br />Grenache and a touch of co-fermented Viognier. Dark fruit flavors and strawberry notes greet the palate and finishes with hints of cigar box and earthy tannins. Although the fruit is still abundant, the haunting complexity and warm spices are what keep you coming back for another sniff – another sip.” -<em>Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker</em></p>
<ul>
<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>90% of the fruit was sourced from the Wahluke Slope, a warm region known for ripe, jammy reds and complex Rhone based varietals.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>10% of the fruit came from our Columbia Valley Vineyards.</li>
</ul>
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<b>WINEMAKING</b><li>Ripe grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with a variety of yeasts for maximum 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 for 16 months in French and American oak barrels.</li>
</ul>
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<b>TECHNICAL DATA</b><li>Total Acidity: 0.58g/100ml </li>
<li>pH: 3.78 </li>
<li>Alcohol: 14.2% </li>
<li>Blend: 43% Syrah, 36% Mourvedre, 21% Grenache </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<strong>Notes on the Blend</strong><li>Syrah: The fruit driven core of the wine – soft and somewhat jammy, we look for the higher toned cherry/red berry lots of Syrah to produce this blend.</li>
<li>Mourvedre: This variety lends to a leathery/spicy complexity that complements the fruit driven nature of the other two red varieties in the blend. The tannins of this variety are understated considering the interest it provides on the nose.</li>
<li>Grenache: The “strawberry splash” of the blend, this variety adds lighter, cherry/strawberry fruit notes, although the 2005 versions had amazing depth all on their own.</li>
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<b>FOOD PAIRING</b><li>Foods: Lamb, pork </li>
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