ST MICHELLE 10 CH
Washington State has been cranking out some great values for quite some time. Perennially, Chateau Ste. Michelle has been towards the top of the critics' best buy lists, as CSM gives the consumer delicious, easy-drinking wines for relatively little money. Winemaker Bob Bertheau fermented part of the wine in stainless steel for freshness, then aged the wine in French and American oak for six months with regular lees stirring to soften the wine and integrate the flavors. His final blend resulted in a layered, complex Chardonnay. WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS Bright and jazzy, with pretty pineapple, grapefruit, elderflower and spice flavors that linger on the finish without excess weight. This just floats on for a while. Drink now through 2012.
