What Kind of Wine Is Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay?
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is a dry white wine from Washington state, characterized by fruit concentration and intensity. It is a decadent style with ripe flavors and a wood character. On top of that, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is smooth and well-balanced, with refreshing acidity. Now, bear in mind that Chardonnay is a versatile grape varietal that can easily be grown without much challenge in many climates. But, being an early budding grape, Chardonnay suffers from heavy rainfalls and spring frosts.
In cold regions, like Chablis, it shows tastes of green fruit and citrus, while in warm areas, Chardonnay is known for giving flavors of tropical fruits. What’s more, Chardonnay undergoes several winemaking techniques. From vibrant with primary fruit flavors to complicated aromas of nuts and mushrooms, Chardonnay wines can give many wine styles. In New World wines, the Chardonnay style is dependent on the winemaker. many of them being lightly or heavily oaked.
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Review
- Winery — Chateau Ste Michelle
- Country/Region — United States, Washington, Columbia Valley
- Type — Washington State Chardonnay
- Aroma — Honeysuckle, Elderflower, Apple, Pear, Caramel, Vanilla Spice
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Mango, Peach, Apricot, Grapefruit, Lemon Peel, Honey, Charred Wood, Cinnamon Spice
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Halibut, Seafood, Sashimi
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is of superb value, produced from one of the oldest wineries in Washington. Dry but with a slight sweetness and creaminess, as well as an array of stone and tropical fruit flavors, it is fulfilling and gratifying. You might argue that are better choices on the market, and you may be right. But considering the competitive retail price (maximum $20) and the overall quality, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is a white wine with characteristics hard to find elsewhere.
Tasting Notes
The wine’s aromas are welcoming, with notes of green fruit, baking spice, and caramel. Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is medium-to-full-bodied. However, nuanced stone fruit flavors and citrus tastes define the mouth. Likewise, spice hints linger on the finish, which is long and savory. Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay has a fulfilling tasting profile, with a lovely sense of balance and zippy acidity.
Appearance
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay wine is pleasing to look at. It begins with a medium yellow color that opens into a semi-opaque core. Then, deep golden reflections appear near the glass rim. Further, the tearing is good as the legs of the wine are long and watery. Hence, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay has an attractive appearance.
Aroma
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay has aromatic intensity. From the moment the bottle is uncorked, fragrances of honeysuckle and elderflower unearth, while delicate green fruit aromas follow close-by. Apple and pear, therefore, commence an aerial dance as notes of vanilla spice and sweet caramel set out to increase complexity and depth. Silky and compelling, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay has an advanced, developing nose. And that is great.
Taste
On the palate, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is filled with ripe stone fruit flavors and citrus notes. As the wine flows into the mouth, peach and apricot tastes transfuse characteristic juiciness before notes of grapefruit and lemon peel join mango hints. The medium but brisk acidity also emerges and refreshes. Consequently, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is flavorful and exhibits balance that kicks it up a notch.
Finish
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay has a long and lingering finish, full of spice hints and honey. As the wine sits still on the tip of the tongue, touches of cinnamon spice and honey hit the back palate, satisfying wine enthusiasts. A slight hint of charred wood can also be discerned, which is appreciated. Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay, therefore, concludes the wine-drinking experience with dynamism and boldness. Memorable.
Rating
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is pleasant. It is complex but not overwhelming. So, no needless syrupiness and creaminess. Everything, from aromas to flavors to the aftertaste, seems in perfect balance. You could even describe this wine as a solid everyday Chardonnay choice, considering its smoothness and silkiness. It is of great value, outstanding even. Drink now.
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Food Pairing
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is a fantastic partner to oily fish like halibut. For instance, a pan-seared halibut with lemon caper sauce combines amazingly with peach and mango flavors of the wine, while the notes of lemon peel are like a match made in heaven. Similarly, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay goes with seafood. Shrimp scampi or shrimp salad blend nicely with the wine’s pear and vanilla spice aromas, while the slightly oaky personality accompanies superbly fish sashimi glazed with sesame oil. Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay, therefore, is versatile and can become the central figure of the dining table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay?
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is a product of Chateau Ste Michelle, located in Washington state. Founded in 1912, the winery’s root date back to the Repeal of Prohibition. In 1967, a new line of wines was introduced called Ste. Michelle Vintners, including Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Yakima Valley. Five years later, in 1972, the first vines were planted at Cold Creek Vineyard in Eastern Washington. In 1976, Ste. Michelle Vintners built a French-style winery Chateau in Woodinville and changed their name to Chateau Ste Michelle, as today is the brand known.
In 2019, the winery celebrated more than fifty years of continuous wine production. Over the years, they have combined Old World winemaking with New World innovation. They are considered one of the few premium wineries with two dedicated ultra-modern bodegas, one for reds and one for whites. The whites are crafted at the Chateau in Woodinville, while the reds at the Canoe Ridge Estate winery in Eastern Washington.
Head winemakers at Chateau Ste Michelle are David Rosenthal and Brian Mackey. Rosenthal is responsible for the whites and Mackey for the reds. Rosenthal has a track record of working at successful wineries over his career, such as Robert Mondavi Winery. On the other hand, Mackey graduated with an English degree. It wasn’t until a trip to Rhone Valley in France that his passion for winemaking took over. He applied for an internship at Chateau Ste Michelle and worked his way up.
How Is Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Made?
Chardonnay wines give fresh fruit aromas and flavors. For this reason, the grapes need careful handling to avoid oxidation and acidification. After harvest, the grapes are destemmed and crushed. Crushing breaks the skins of the grapes and liberates a quantity of juice. But damaging the seeds should be avoided. Otherwise, they release bitter oils and tannin, and the final wine becomes astringent and bitter.
After crushing, pressing follows. Pressing separates the liquid and the solid constituents of grapes. Seeds should remain undamaged once again. Then, that juice is clarified to preserve primary fruit flavor and goes into stainless steel vessels to undergo cool fermentation. In this way, the final wine manages to conserve its natural acidity and obtain a crisp balance. Meanwhile, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay undergoes malolactic conversation to increase its body and soften its mouthfeel. When that is over, it is filtered from sediments and bottled.
Where Is Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Made?
The Chardonnay grapes were cultivated in Washington state, known for lush red and fresh white wines. The vineyards in Washington are planted in Columbia Valley. It lies east of the Cascade Mountains in the valleys of the Columbia River. Within this region are the small but significant Yakima Valley and Walla Walla. On top of that, the Columbia Valley is in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, making river irrigation a necessity. Daylight hours and consistent summer temperatures are an advantage of the area too. The grapes obtain optimal ripeness due to the sunny days. At the same time, the cool nights help them sustain natural levels of acidity. The gravest challenge of the region is the winter freeze, which may reduce crop volumes by half.
How Much Does Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Cost?
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay has an average retail price. And it is easily purchasable from consumers as they do not have to pay a hefty cost. Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay price ranges from $9 to $20 or more per 750ml bottle, depending on the vintage and seller. As a consequence, wine fans should seize the opportunity. If they see the wine on food store shelves, they should obtain it. With such a rock-bottom retail price, it is unwise to miss it.
How Long Does Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Last?
Chardonnay wines are generally suitable for bottle aging, unlike most white wines. After maturation, aromas and flavors of almond, hazelnut, dried apricot, and marmalade develop. That said, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay should not mature. It might be creamy with a certain complexity, but it is a fruit-forward wine. As such, wine enthusiasts should consume it within a year from the date of bottling. The longer they take to uncork the bottle, the greater the decline of the wine’s floral and green fruit aromas and peach and mango flavors.
How Many Calories Does Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Have?
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is a suitable dietary choice. There are approximately 22 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to 123 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 7 grams of sodium, 3 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of protein, and 1 gram of total sugars. Consequently, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay calories are friendly to consumers on a diet. So, if you need a white wine with a low-caloric density, this bottling is ideal. Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay alcohol content sits at 14% per 750ml bottle. That is a high regular alcoholic concentration. Consume responsibly, then.
Conclusion
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is of superb value, produced from one of the oldest wineries in Washington. Dry but with a slight sweetness and creaminess, as well as an array of stone and tropical fruit flavors, it is fulfilling and gratifying. You might argue that are better choices on the market, and you may be right. But considering the competitive retail price (maximum $20) and the overall quality, Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay is a white wine with characteristics hard to find elsewhere.
