WINEMAKER NOTES
“This is the ultimate sculpted wine created by blending amazing Washington fruit.  Drawing from our estate vineyards, Canoe Ridge Estate gives elegance, structure and fine-grained tannins while Cold Creek vineyard lends concentrated, old vine intensity. This year, we also included grapes from Indian Wells Vineyard for a touch of that "New World" opulence.  The 2007 vintage delivered power yet seamleass tannins.  The blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvingnon, 37% Merlot, 6% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot.” - Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

THE ART OF WINE
Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Artist Series Meritage red wine celebrates the inspired collaboration between artisan winemaking and fine art. This 15th vintage of Artist Series Meritage showcases the work of T.L. Lange (1965 - 2002).  Lange worked in a wide array of media, incorporating oils, collage, and encaustic among other materials.  Of his work, Lange reflected, "I derive the compositions from the beauty of choas in decay, the colors of rusty pipes, and layers of billboard advertisements.  Paintings are everywhere.  I keep the studio floor littered with photographs, torn paper, flecks of paint and objects to trip over while looking for something else." For more information about the artist, visit fosterwhite.com.

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 week before bloom, we saw a week of 100 degree temperatures.  This heat spike lead to a 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 havest were ideal with mild to average teamperatures. 
  
  VINEYARDS
• Fruit from our vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA made up half of the blend, contributing elegant fruit and silky tannins.
• Nearly a third of the fruit came from vineyards in the Wahluke Slope, a warm region known for ripe, concentrated reds.
• The balance of the fruit was sourced from our Cold Creek Vineyard, one of the oldest and warmest sites in Washington.
  

WINEMAKING
• Fermented in small lots for maximum flexibility during blending.
• Daily gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins.
• The pumpovers 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.
• Aged for 20 months in French oak (80%) and American oak (20%).
  

TECHNICAL DATA
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Total Acidity: 0.55g /100ml
• pH: 3.82
• Blend: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
• Cases produced: 2,200