No matter where you live in the United States, you are probably familiar with the wines of Chateau Ste. Michelle, particularly their Columbia Valley line. While those wines enjoy national distribution, Chateau Ste. Michelle also produces a number of other reserve and limited release wines that are not as widely available.

We recently had the opportunity to taste a number of the current releases from Chateau Ste. Michelle, in a blind samples tasting. The seven wines featured here, five whites and two reds, are all very good and, most importantly, deliver serious bang for your buck. Six of these wines received a QPR rating of 4 or 5. When it comes to good quality at an excellent value, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley line is hard to beat.

And, for those of you who generally stay away from white wines in the middle of winter when it is cold and/or wet, I encourage you to “let it go”. Especially when paired with the right foods, these wines can be enjoyed year-round.

2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Horse Heaven Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington): 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Pale straw yellow. Aromatic with citrus, particularly orange, and floral notes on both the nose and palate. Dry and light-bodied with racy acidity and a long, refreshing finish. Food pairing suggestions: mussels, halibut, chicken, goat cheese.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $11 to $19

2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Harvest Select Sweet Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Riesling. Pale to medium, greenish straw yellow. Nice nose with apricot, peach, and a touch of honey aromas and flavors. Medium-sweet and medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish. Food pairing suggestions: fresh fruit, crab, Asian dishes, mild cheeses. Residual Sugar: 4.3%
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $10; Available elsewhere, $7 to $12

2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Riesling. Pale, greenish straw yellow. Very aromatic with apple, apricot, and melon on both the nose and palate. Off-dry and light-bodied with lively acidity and a medium to long finish. Food pairing suggestions: fresh fruit, crab, mild cheeses, chicken. Residual Sugar: 2.01%
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $10; Available elsewhere, $7 to $12

2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington): 92% Merlot, 3% Syrah, and 5% blenders (Malbec, Grenache, Mourvedre and Petit Verdot). Deep, dark purplish red in color. Nice nose with black plum, black cherry, leather, and smoky aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with lively acidity, smooth tannins, and a long finish. Food pairing suggestions: beef, lamb, grilled salmon, hearty pastas.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $12 to $19

2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, Washington): 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Syrah, 2% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Mourvedre. Deep, dark purplish red. Beautiful nose with red and black fruit aromas and flavors as well as a touch of eucalyptus. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, silky tannins, and a long, smooth finish. Food pairing suggestions: beef, hearty pastas, dark chocolate, blue cheese.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $12 to $16

2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Gewurztraminer. Pale yellow in color. Aromatic with floral notes as well as green apple and citrus on both the nose and palate. Medium-sweet and light-bodied with lively acidity and a medium to long finish. Food pairing suggestions: crab, Asian dishes, chicken. Residual Sugar: 1.7%
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $10; Available elsewhere, $8 to $12

2013 Eroica Riesling [Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen] (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Riesling. Pale, greenish straw yellow. Beautiful nose with white peach and honeysuckle aromas. Granny Smith apple and floral notes come through on the palate. Off-dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long, refreshing finish. Food pairing suggestions: Asian dishes, Indian curries, crab, scallops. Residual Sugar: 1.55%
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $20; Available elsewhere, $14 to $26

Chateau Ste. Michelle Delivers Serious Bang for Your Buck was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

All of the wines paired well with Mom’s (LaGayle) dinner of tomato basil soup, ensalada mixta, chicken tapenade, grilled garlic basil polenta cakes, roasted asparagus with balsamic browned butter, and topped off by orange sherbet with strawberries drizzled with simple syrup and ground black pepper for dessert.

The consensus favorite of the evening was the 2013 Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. In the 1940’s, Nikola Nobilo emigrated from Croatia and planted some of the first commercial grapevines in New Zealand. He was one of the pioneers responsible for the worldwide popularity of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

The other two wines in this tasting that deserve extra attention because of their high quality and excellent value are the 2013 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and the 2012 Efeste Feral Sauvignon Blanc from Washington State. These top three wines are outstanding and are great choices to enjoy on your deck on a warm evening or to complement lighter fare such as chicken or fish any time of the year.

From 1st to last in the group consensus rankings:

2013 Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand): Pale, straw yellow. Beautiful nose with grapefruit and lime aromas. More grapefruit and lime as well as vegetal notes come through on the palate. Dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Well-balanced with a very long, refreshing finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Total Wine & More (Seattle, Washington), $8; Available elsewhere, $8 to $13

2013 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand): Pale, greenish straw yellow. Very aromatic with grapefruit, lime, and fresh cut grass on the nose. More grapefruit, lime, and a touch of pineapple come through on the palate. Dry and medium-bodied with racy acidity. Well-balanced and refreshing with an extremely long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Total Wine & More (Seattle, Washington), $12; Available elsewhere, $10 to $14

2012 Efeste Feral Sauvignon Blanc (Evergreen Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale, greenish straw yellow. Gorgeous nose with lime, grapefruit, pear, and a touch of minerality. More citrus notes come through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with tart acidity. Well-balanced with a very long, lingering finish. Very crisp and refreshing.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Total Wine & More (Seattle, Washington), $20; Available elsewhere, $19 to $21

2013 Chateau Montet Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux, France): Pale, straw yellow. Nose is a bit tight at first, then pear and apple aromas come through. More pear, apple, and a touch of citrus come through on the palate. Dry and light-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Total Wine & More (Seattle, Washington), $10

2012 Woodinville Wine Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale, straw yellow. Aromatic with apple, pear, lime, and a touch of minerality on both the nose and palate. Dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Total Wine & More (Seattle, Washington), $15; Available elsewhere, $15 to $17

2012 Gilles Blanchet Pouilly Fume (Loire, France): Pale, straw yellow. Moderately aromatic with apple notes on the nose. More apple as well as pear and a touch of flint comes through on the palate. Dry and light-bodied with lively acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Total Wine & More (Seattle, Washington), $18

Wine Tasting Dinner: Sauvignon Blanc from Around the World was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

All four of these wines are well above average in quality, give you excellent bang for your buck, and are readily available almost anywhere you go to buy wine. We often buy one or more of these to keep in our hotel room when we are traveling to sip in the evening after a day of sightseeing.

Domaine Ste. Michelle is one of the largest sparkling wine houses in the United States, producing more than 300,000 cases each year. DSM has been producing sparkling wine for over 30 years, and Rick Casqueiro has been head winemaker since 1994. While this Brut is good enough to celebrate a special occasion, its price point makes it an excellent weeknight or Sunday brunch bubbly. Available at Total Wine and More for $7.57.

“Sparkling wine is a wonderful yet often overlooked accompaniment to food. Bright acidity and effervescence cleanses the palate, while the delicate flavors complement a wide array of dishes….” –Winemaker Rick Casqueiro

Regular readers know that as far as white wines go, we Wine Peeps love Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. But as far as LaGayle is concerned, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the best wine period. And, Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc is one of her favorite wines from New Zealand. It is crisp, refreshing, and an excellent sipper no matter whether you are sitting on the deck on a sunny afternoon or curled up with a book on a winter’s evening. Available at Total Wine and More for $7.57.

“Intense aromas of pineapple, passion fruit and guava [and LaGayle would say grapefruit, too], complemented by flinty minerality and herbal notes of nettle and cut tomato plant. The nettle and cut tomato plant characters give richness to the palate, and there is an abundance of luscious fruit sweetness, especially passion fruit and pineapple notes. The wine has excellent presence and mouth feel, with balanced acidity and a generous finish.” –Nobilo

Riesling has become known as Washington State’s signature white variety. Washington is the largest Riesling producing state in the United States. And, Washington State’s own Chateau Ste. Michelle is the largest Riesling producer in the world. Chateau Ste. Michelle makes a number of different Rieslings of different styles and price points, including this off-dry Columbia Valley Riesling. Available at Total Wine and More for $5.97.

“Our Columbia Valley Riesling is a blend of Riesling from throughout Washington’s Columbia Valley. We craft it to be a refreshing, off-dry Riesling vintage after vintage. The wine delivers sweet lime and peach character with subtle mineral notes. This is our ‘any day Riesling’ that is a pleasure to drink and easy to match with a variety of foods.” –Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

Penfolds is one of the oldest and most well respected wineries in Australia. Today, Penfolds is most famous for its top of the line Grange wine that often sells for $500 or more. This Koonunga Hill wine is from one of their value lines. Nevertheless, according to some experts,  it is a wine that can age for 20 years, which is remarkable for a wine at this price point. Available at Total Wine and More for $7.97.

“Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet is very much a reflection of the Penfolds winemaking style and philosophy. Sourced from premium vineyards across South Australia, the wine is known for its full-flavoured style with excellent Shiraz and Cabernet fruit, firm yet well-rounded structure and balanced oak. Made as a traditional ‘Australian blend’, the Shiraz component provides fleshy fruit flavour while Cabernet provides a frame of fine grained tannins.” –Penfolds

I highly recommend that you put a few bottles of each of these wines in your cellar (wine rack, closet, or wherever you keep your wine), and you’ll have some very enjoyable evenings without breaking the bank.

Good Everyday “Go-To” Wines Under $10 was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

Trying to hold on to the last bit of summer here in Seattle, we featured six rosé wines from around the world at our wine tasting dinner last Friday. It was another fabulous evening of good wine, the company of wonderful friends, and excellent food. Our good friend and next-door neighbor, Eric, served as the guest chef for the evening and made his wonderful paella. The wines paired extremely well with our entire meal which included bacon wrapped dates stuffed with Serrano pepper and cream cheese spread with pepper jelly on crackers for appetizers, ensalada mixta and the paella for the main dish, and fresh strawberries garnished with simple syrup and black pepper served with a scoop of orange sherbet for dessert.

The consensus favorite was the 2012 Domaine Saint Aix Rosé. This wine is produced in the Provence region of France but is easy to find across the United States, especially this time of year. It is great as a sipper and gets even better with food.

When the sun is shining and you’re looking for a refreshing beverage to enjoy on the deck or in the backyard, don’t forget to give rosé wine a shot. In addition to the paella we had at this dinner, two other foods that pair very well with rosé are grilled salmon and hot dogs.

From 1st to last in the group consensus rankings:

2012 Domaine Saint Aix Rosé (Provence, France): Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. Very pale salmon color. Beautiful nose with floral and citrus aromas. Citrus fruit, watermelon, and a touch of spice come through on the palate. Dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Well-balanced with a very long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $15; Available elsewhere, $15 to $17

2012 Viu Manent Estate Collection Reserva Malbec Rosé (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 94% Malbec and 6% Syrah. Pale to medium pink. Aromatic with strawberry, watermelon, and citrus peel on the nose. More strawberry, cherry, and floral notes come through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $7; Available elsewhere, $7 to $11

2012 Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Rosé (Western Cape, South Africa): 51% Syrah, 28% Cinsault, and 21% Grenache. Medium pink. Aromatic with strawberry, cherry, and spice on both the nose and palate. Off-dry and medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $10; Available elsewhere, $9 to $12

2012 La Vieille Ferme Ventoux Rosé (Rhone Valley, France): Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. Medium pink. Nice nose with strawberry and floral aromas. Cherry and strawberry come through on the palate. Dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long, refreshing finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $9; Available elsewhere, $6 to $10

2012 Chateau La Mascaronne Quat’saisons Rosé (Provence, France): Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre. Very pale salmon color. Aromatic with citrus and floral aromas. Meyer lemon, watermelon, and pink grapefruit come through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $15; Available elsewhere, $13 to $21

2012 Robert Ramsay Rosé (Columbia Valley, Washington): 45% Grenache, 45% Cinsault, and 10% Viognier. Pale to medium salmon color. Nice nose with orange peel and strawberry aromas. Strawberry and citrus fruit comes through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $18

Wine Tasting Dinner: 2012 Rosé from Around the World was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

A favorite in our family, and I’m sure it goes back to our Texas roots, is peach cobbler. Peach cobbler is a dessert staple in the south. Whether it is peach cobbler, peach slump, or just peaches and cream, I imagine that there is a peach dessert in most everyone’s life that is a favorite.

To celebrate peaches in August, we decided to do a challenging wine pairing with peach cobbler topped with ice cream. As always, I referred to my favorite book, What to Drink with What You Eat, and decided to have a Late Harvest Riesling and a sparkling wine. We selected the 2010 Forgeron Late Harvest Riesling and the NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry Sparkling Wine. Both wines are very good on their own, and the consensus between the four of us as to the best pairing with the cobbler was an even split, two of us chose the Late Harvest Riesling and two of us chose the sparkling wine. The ideal complement to the cobbler and ice cream might have been a wine whose sweetness is between these two wines.

What would you have paired with this dessert? Your suggestions for future challenging pairings are always welcome.

Bon Appétit!

2010 Forgeron Cellars Late Harvest Riesling (Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Riesling. Golden yellow in color. Very aromatic with honey and dried apricot on both the nose and palate. Medium sweet and medium-bodied with lively acidity. Well-balanced with a long finish. Residual Sugar: 13%
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $19 [375ml]; Available elsewhere, $18 to $19

NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry Sparkling Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington): Small, fairly fast bead of bubbles. Pale, straw yellow in color. Nice nose with apple and yeast aromas. More apple and pear come through on the palate. Off-dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish. Residual Sugar: 2.3%
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer, $8.99; Available elsewhere, $8 to $15

Challenging Wine Pairing: Peach Cobbler was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

Riesling is one of the most versatile grape varieties. It can be made in many different styles from bone dry to very sweet, reflect the regional character of where it is grown, and is extremely food-friendly. And, it is probably the most age worthy of all white wine varieties.

We recently had the opportunity to taste a couple of Chateau Ste. Michelle Rieslings in a blind samples tasting, the 2012 Dry Riesling and the 2012 Harvest Select Sweet Riesling. Both wines are very good, so no matter your preference on the sweetness scale, Chateau Ste. Michelle has you covered. And with suggested retail prices of $10, and which can frequently be found for far less, these wines deliver serious bang for your buck.

2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale straw yellow. Beautiful nose with white peach, citrus, and floral aromas. White peach and lime come through on the palate. Dry and light-bodied with crisp acidity. Well-balanced with a very long, refreshing finish. Residual Sugar: 0.71%
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $10; Available elsewhere, $6 to $12

2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Harvest Select Sweet Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington): Very pale, straw yellow. Aromatic with peach blossoms and honeysuckle on the nose. Peach, apricot, and floral notes come through on the palate. Medium sweet and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a very long finish. Residual Sugar: 4.71%
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $10; Available elsewhere, $8 to $10

Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling: Something for Everyone was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

For easy reference, here are links to my previous posts about my media trip to Chile:
Wines of Chile: Exploring Terroir
Wines of Chile: An Overview
Wines of Chile: Casablanca Valley
Wines of Chile: Maipo Valley
Wines of Chile: Cachapoal Valley
Wines of Chile: Colchagua Valley
Wines of Chile: Maule Valley

Before filing away my notes, I want to mention the wines I tasted that were not from a Chilean wine region that I highlighted in a previous post.

2012 Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc (Central Valley, Chile): Pale straw yellow. Nice nose with lemon, lime, and grassy aromas and flavors. Dry and light-bodied with crisp acidity and a medium to long finish. A bit thin on the mid-palate.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $8.99

2012 Santa Rita Medalla Real Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley, Chile): Pale straw yellow with green tinges. Nice nose with soft, elegant aromas of melon and minerality. More melon and minerality as well as tropical fruit comes through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long finish. A food wine.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99

2011 Santa Rita 120 Chardonnay (Central Valley, Chile): Pale to medium straw yellow. Aromatic with apple, pear, and lemon cream pie on the nose and palate. Dry and light-bodied with lively acidity and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $8.99

2010 Santa Rita Medalla Real Chardonnay (Leyda Valley, Chile): Medium yellow with green tinges. Nice nose with apple and creamy aromas. Apple, cream, and butter come through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99

2010 Santa Rita Reserva Carmenere (Rapel Valley, Chile): Deep, dark purplish red. Nice nose with black fruit, eucalyptus, and vegetal aromas. Black fruit, green pepper, and a touch of oak come through on the palate. Medium-bodied with lively acidity, medium, smooth tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $12.99

2012 Santa Carolina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley, Chile): Very pale, greenish straw yellow. Nice nose with lime, grapefruit, and lemon peel aromas and flavors. Dry and light-bodied with tart acidity and a long, refreshing finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $10-12

2012 Santa Carolina Reserva Moscato (Elqui Valley, Chile): Pale straw yellow. Aromatic with apricot, melon, and a touch of honey on both the nose and palate. Off-dry and light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $10-12

2009 Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Carmenere (Rapel Valley, Chile): Deep, dark purplish red. Nice nose with aromas and flavors of black cherry, black plum, spice, floral notes, and a touch of green pepper. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity and medium to high, dry tannins. Well-balanced with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $17-20

And, finally, here are a few tidbits about Chilean wine and culture that were shared with me by some of the Chilean winemakers I met:

• Chile is fairly conservative for Latin America.
• Chileans are relatively shy, reserved people as compared to other Latin Americans.
• Chileans are proud of their country but have not always been bold about expressing it. Historically, Chile has not been very good in sports, which contributes to their lack of patriotism and pride. They are now working to create a strong brand and identity with wine.
• Chilean Wine = Soil + Climate + Culture

I look forward to visiting Chile again someday, and I encourage you to put it on your “places to visit” list too. For more information about Chilean wine country, visit the Wines of Chile site. And if you are planning a trip there anytime soon (which I highly recommend), feel free to ask me any questions about the area in the comments below or via our Contact Us form. I’m happy to help if I can.

Salud!

Wines of Chile: Final Thoughts on an Amazing Trip was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

Our selection criteria include:

• A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
• A price tag of <=$20
• Must be widely available

Pepi Winery, located in Parlier, California, has been a pioneer in California white wine for over 40 years. Founded in 1968, Pepi sources its fruit from cool coastal vineyards. Mark Rasmussen serves as Pepi’s head winemaker. This Chenin Blanc-Viognier is produced from grapes from the Clarksburg and Central Valley growing regions.

“Our Chenin Blanc-Viognier is an appetizing blend of these two under-appreciated grapes. The Chenin Blanc supplies the backbone for the wine and displays sweet honeysuckle notes, while the Viognier allows for spicy expressions of peach and other fruit nectars. Crisp and clean, this wine has a refreshing and spritzy finish.” –Winemaker Mark Rasmussen

2011 Pepi Chenin Blanc-Viognier (Clarksburg and Central Valley, California): 66% Chenin Blanc and 34% Viognier. Pale, straw yellow in color. Aromatic with melon and floral notes on the nose. Melon, lime, and floral notes come through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Well-balanced with a long, refreshing finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $10

A Wine for Tonight: 2011 Pepi Chenin Blanc-Viognier was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

One of Chile’s best known wine regions, the Colchagua Valley has received much praise for its full-bodied red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for more than 40% of all varieties planted, but the Colchagua Valley also does well with Carmenere, Syrah, and Malbec. We tasted a number of wines from different producers whose grapes came from the Colchagua Valley. Our winery visits in the Colchagua Valley were to Viu Manent and Casa Silva.

The Viu family owns Viu Manent. Founded in 1935 by Miguel Viu-García and his two sons Agustín and Miguel Viu-Manent, the winery is now in the hands of the third generation and led by Jose Miguel Viu. In 1966, Miguel Viu Manent purchased the Hacienda San Carlos de Cunaco in Colchagua, which included 150 hectares of vineyards, a winery, and a manor house. Around 1990, Viu Manent changed its focus from bulk wine to fine wine and began exporting its wine. Viu Manent celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. The winery produces 250,000 cases annually.

Today, Viu Manent has a very modern tasting room, gift shop, winery and vineyard tours, and horseback riding school. It also has facilities for corporate meetings, weddings, and other special events. During our visit, we had the pleasure to meet managing director Jose Miguel Viu and chief winemaker Patricio Celedón. After the tour and tasting, we enjoyed a delicious lunch outside the restaurant, under the pergola, with a gorgeous view of the vineyards. It was truly a highlight of my trip to Chile.

Casa Silva is a family-owned and operated winery, now in the 5th generation. In 1892, Emile Bouchon arrived in Chile from Bordeaux, France, with the dream of planting high quality vineyards in the Colchagua Valley. His dream became a reality and the vineyards have remained in the family though some of the shares were sold through the years. In 1977, Mario Silva Cifuentes, who was married to Maria Teresa Silva Bouchon, bought back the majority of what had been sold and resurrected the family business. His son, Mario Pablo Silva, has taken it to the next level. In 1997, Mario Pablo proposed to his father that they stop their bulk sales and start bottling their own wines and selling them under their own brand. He agreed, and Casa Silva was born. Casa Silva is completely focused on the Colchagua Valley and gets 100% of their grapes from their own vineyards. Casa Silva has four main estates with the oldest vines planted in 1912. Best known for its Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon, Casa Silva produces a total of 650,000 cases per year.

Casa Silva is currently involved in a micro-terroir project, studying why there is such variability in small geographical areas. The whole estate has been mapped, and they harvest different areas at different times. They have identified 42 different field types of Carmenere. The study is being done in conjunction with the Chilean government and two universities, one in Chile and one in Germany. This is the first time that Carmenere has been studied like this anywhere in the world.

During our visit, we had the pleasure to meet managing director Mario Pablo Silva, commercial manager Arnaud Frennet, and marketing executive Francisco Espinoza Ibarra. In addition to touring the winery and tasting through their wines, we also enjoyed seeing their rodeo and polo operations. The Silva family loves horses, and both rodeo and polo are an important way of life for them. After a lovely dinner at their restaurant overlooking the polo pitch, we stayed in their quaint hotel, which has been converted from the old family home on the estate. If your travels take you to the Colchagua Valley, I highly recommend staying at Casa Silva.

Wines I tasted from the Colchagua Valley during my recent media trip:

2007 Casa Silva Microterroir De Los Lingues Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep purple. Very aromatic with black fruit, earth, and vegetal notes on the nose. Black fruit, earth, and eucalyptus come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and soft, elegant tannins. Well-balanced with good complexity and a long finish. Would love to have with food.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $45-50

2007 Casa Silva Altura (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 50% Carmenere, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 10% Petit Verdot. Deep purplish red. Very aromatic with mint, cocoa, and smoke on the nose. A beautiful wine with blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, green pepper, and cocoa on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity and medium to high, silky tannins. Well-balanced with good complexity and a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $200 (not available in the U.S.)

2011 Viu Manent Gran Reserva Malbec (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep purple. Nice nose with black fruit, spice, and oak aromas. Black cherry, blackberry, and spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, medium to high smooth tannins, and good structure. Well-balanced with good complexity and a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $10

2010 Casa Silva Carmenere Reserva (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 100% Carmenere. Deep purplish red. Nice nose with black fruit, smoke, and a touch of green pepper. Very spicy with black fruit and vegetal notes on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, and smooth tannins. Well-balanced with good complexity and a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $12-14

2010 Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere (Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile): 95% Carmenere and 5% Carignan. Deep purplish red. Gorgeous nose with blackberry, earth, tobacco leaf, and a touch of green pepper. Luscious palate with blackberry, tobacco, and black pepper. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and sweet tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

2010 Primus The Blend (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Carmenere, 23% Syrah, and 10% Merlot. Deep, dark red. Beautiful nose with black fruit and spice aromas. Black cherry, blackberry, black plum, spice, and a touch of smoked meat come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity and medium to high, silky tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a very long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $18

2010 Casa Silva Carmenere Gran Terroir Los Lingues (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep purplish red. Aromatic with earth, black fruit, barnyard, and vegetal notes on the nose. Earth, black cherry, and slight vegetal notes come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $19-20

2010 Viu Manent La Capilla Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Vines are about 25 years old. Deep purple. Gorgeous nose with aromas and flavors of blackcurrant, black cherry, cinnamon, pencil lead, and leather. Full-bodied with lively acidity and high, yet smooth, tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with good mouthfeel and a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $20

2009 Viña Los Vascos Le Dix Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenere, and 5% Syrah. Deep, dark purplish red. Nice nose with blackcurrant, licorice, and cinnamon aromas. Blackcurrant, blackberry, licorice, black pepper, spice, and cinnamon come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity and big, bold, dry tannins. Well-balanced with a long, lingering finish. Gets better the longer it’s open.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $64.99

2012 Casa Silva Sauvignon Blanc Cool Coast (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Pale greenish straw yellow. Very aromatic with citrus fruit, especially lemon, and a touch of banana on the nose. Lemon and lime as well as a hint of minerality come through on the palate. Dry and light-bodied with crisp acidity. Well-balanced with a long, rich finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $22-23

2011 Casa Silva Cool Coast Sauvignon Blanc (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Pale greenish straw yellow. Very aromatic with lemon, pineapple, and a touch of banana on the nose. More citrus notes as well as a touch of minerality come through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Well-balanced with a long, elegant finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $25

2007 Santa Rita Pehuen Apalta Carmenere (Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile): 100% Carmenere. Deep, dark red. Aromatic with black pepper and vegetal notes on the nose. Black cherry, black pepper, and green pepper come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and high tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $40

2010 Viu Manent El Incidente Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep purplish red. Beautiful nose with black fruit, oak, spice, and black pepper aromas. More black fruit, spice, and a touch of green bell pepper come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, and smooth tannins. Well-balanced with a long finish. Gets better the longer it’s open.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $40-45

2011 Viu Manent Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Vines over 100 years old, just bottled last week. Deep, dark red. Very aromatic with black fruit and smoke on the nose. Blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry, smoke, and spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, high, dry tannins, and a long, full finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $10

2010 Primus Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep red. Nice nose with black fruit, smoke, mocha, and floral aromas. Black cherry, smoke, and mocha come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, smooth tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $18

2010 Casa Silva Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Terroir Los Lingues (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep red. Very aromatic with mint, eucalyptus, and herbal notes on the nose. Mint, earth, herbal notes, spice, and black fruit come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity, high, dry tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $19-20

2009 Santa Rita Reserva Malbec (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep red. Aromatic with black cherry, blackberry, and spice on the nose. Fruit-forward with blackberry, black cherry, spice, and black pepper on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with good structure, crisp acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $12.99

2012 Casa Silva Sauvignon Blanc Reserva (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 1/2 old vines and 1/2 coastal vineyard. Very pale, greenish straw yellow. Aromatic with floral, citrus, and lime on the nose. Lime, Meyer lemon, and a touch of grass come through on the palate. Dry and light-bodied with crisp, almost tart, acidity, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $12-14

2011 Primus Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep red. Aromatic with black fruit, especially black plum, herbs, and spice on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, medium, smooth tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $18

2009 Santa Rita Medalla Real Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep, dark purple. Lovely nose with black fruit, mint, cocoa, and green pepper. More black fruit and green pepper come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, medium to high, smooth tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99

2010 Viu Manent San Carlos Single Vineyard Malbec (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Oldest vineyard on the property. Deep, dark purplish black. Beautiful nose with black cherry, blackberry, oak, spice, and herbal aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, smooth tannins, and a long, slightly bitter, finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $20

2008 Casa Silva Quinta Generacion Red (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Carmenere, 6% Syrah, and 3% Petit Verdot. Deep purplish red. Nice nose with smoked meat, mint, cocoa, and black fruit aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high, sweet tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $25-30

2008 Neyen Espiritu de Apalta (Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile): 80% Carmenere and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purplish red. Aromatic with bright, jammy red fruit on the nose. Candied red fruit, leather, and spice come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity, high, dry tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $40

2011 Santa Carolina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile): Deep purplish red. Aromatic with blackcurrant, black cherry, and a touch of leather on the nose. Leather, spice, and chocolate come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high, dry tannins, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $10-12

2010 Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark purple. Nice nose with red and black fruit, earth, oak, and pencil lead aromas and flavors. A bit thin on the mid-palate. Medium to full-bodied and lively with smooth tannins, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $19

2010 Casa Silva Merlot Reserva (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 100% Merlot. Deep ruby red. Aromatic with black plum and smoked meat on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium, smooth tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $12-14

2012 Casa Silva Sauvignon Gris 1912 Vines (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 1912 old vines. Very pale straw yellow. Aromatic with melon, lemon, and a touch of minerality on both the nose and palate. Dry and light-bodied with good acidity, a bit of creaminess, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $19-20

2009 Koyle Royale Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile): 85% Carmenere, 8% Petit Verdot, and 7% Malbec. Deep purple. Aromatic with black fruit, dark chocolate, and pencil lead on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, high, dry tannins, and a long, slightly bitter, finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $25.99

Be sure to come back as I individually highlight more Chilean wine regions in the coming weeks.

Salud!

Wines of Chile: Colchagua Valley was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

No matter where you live in the United States, you are probably familiar with the wines of Chateau Ste. Michelle, particularly their Columbia Valley line. While those wines enjoy national distribution, Chateau Ste. Michelle also produces a number of other reserve and limited release wines that are not as widely available.

We recently had the opportunity to taste a number of the current fall releases from Chateau Ste. Michelle, across their family of wines, in a blind samples tasting. We were especially impressed with the 2011 Gewurztraminer and 2010 Merlot in the Columbia Valley lines as well as the 2009 Limited Release Boreal Red Wine and 2009 Ethos Reserve Syrah.

Ethos means “character” in Greek, the “distinctive spirit” of a specific culture, movement or philosophy. For Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Ethos Reserve series of wines, winemaker Bob Bertheau endeavors to make limited production wines that represent the “best of the vintage.” The 2009 Ethos Reserve Syrah definitely fits that bill. It is a big, yet elegant, wine.

The Limited Release wines allow the winemaking team to experiment a bit. These small lots are initially available exclusively to members of their wine club, the Vintage Reserve Club. After 30 days, these limited releases are offered to the public at the Chateau Ste. Michelle wine shop in Woodinville and online.

However, when it comes to delivering serious bang for your buck, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley line is hard to beat.

2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer (Columbia Valley, Washington): 98% Gewurztraminer and 2% Muscat Canelli. Pale straw yellow in color. Beautiful nose with honey, white peach, and floral aromas and flavors. Slightly off-dry and light-bodied. Well-balanced with a long finish. Very crisp and refreshing. Residual Sugar: 1.95%
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $9; Available elsewhere, $7 to $10

2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington): 91% Merlot, 4% Syrah, and 5% Blender varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Grenache). Deep, dark red. Nice nose with aromas of black plum, black cherry, and leather. More black fruit and leather as well as spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $16; Available elsewhere, $12 to $15

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Limited Release Boreal Red Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington): 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Dark, dense purple. Very aromatic with black fruit, cedar, and spice on the nose. Blackberry, cinnamon, clove, and a touch of smoked meat come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high, dry tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Ethos Reserve Syrah (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Syrah. Dark, dense purple in color. Nice nose with black fruit, eucalyptus, black pepper, and spice aromas. Espresso, cocoa, black fruit, and a touch of game come through on the palate. Full-bodied and lively with high tannins. Well-balanced with good complexity and a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $35

2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Chardonnay. Pale to medium yellow. Aromatic with butter and popcorn on the nose. Apple, pear, and a touch of butter come through on the palate. Dry and medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $13; Available elsewhere, $7 to $11

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark red. Nice nose with black plum, oak, and earthy aromas. Black plum, oak, and chocolate come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium tannins, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $28; Available elsewhere, $22 to $30

2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris (Columbia Valley, Washington): 96% Pinot Gris and 4% Viognier. Pale, greenish straw yellow. Aromatic with peach and apricot on both the nose and palate. Dry and light-bodied with lively acidity and a long, refreshing finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $13; Available elsewhere, $9 to $13

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Limited Release Mourvedre (Wahluke Slope, Washington): 83% Mourvedre and 17% Syrah. Deep, dark purplish red. Nice nose with blackberry, game, and spice on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high, dry tannins, and a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $25

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Limited Release Cold Creek Red (Cold Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington): 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 12% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. Dark, dense red in color. Aromatic with black fruit, cedar, and leather on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high, sweet tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $32

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Limited Release Druthers Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, Washington): 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Dark purplish red. Aromatic with black fruit, eucalyptus, and oak on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium tannins, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $80

Chateau Ste. Michelle: Current Fall Releases was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.