Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Merlot Columbia Valley 2016

Tasting Notes: The Indian Wells Merlot offers ripe berry fruit aromas and jammy flavors. This is a full-bodied style of warm climate Merlot with a round, supple finish. We added Wahluke Slope Syrah to enhance the mouthfeel and rich fruit character. I call this my pasta wine! - Bob Bertheau, Winemaker Vintage: • The 2016 vintage experienced the best of both worlds with a hot spring and early summer, but also a cool fall season. • Cooler temperatures in August and September, slowed down ripening and resulted in longer hang time for the grapes and the longest harvest on record in Washington State (August 15-November 15). • Overall, 2016 saw very favorable growing conditions, producing wines with ripeness and elegance. Vineyards: • This Merlot is sourced from Eastern Washington vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills and the Wahluke Slope, as well as our Cold Creek Vineyard. • Vineyards were selected for producing high quality, ripe fruit, yielding wine with intense color and flavor. Winemaking: • Grapes were destemmed and sorted using cutting edge technology to gently handle fruit and remove any green material, allowing for more pure, concentrated fruit expression. • Gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color, and minimize harsh tannins. • Aged in 51% new American and French oak barrels. Blend: 84% Merlot 16% Syrah TA: 0.55 g/100ml pH: 3.76 Alcohol: 14.5%

Tasting Notes: The Indian Wells Merlot offers ripe berry fruit aromas and jammy flavors typical of Wahluke Slope reds. This is a full bodied style of warm climate Merlot with a round, supple finish. We added Wahluke Slope Syrah to enhance the mouthfeel and rich fruit character. I call this my pasta wine! - Bob Bertheau, Winemaker Vintage: • The 2015 vintage was one of the warmest growing seasons on record in Washington state. • Warm temperatures continued through the spring and summer, moderating slightly into fall and extending an early harvest. • Overall, 2015 saw optimal ripening across varieties and yielded outstanding wines throughout the region. Vineyards: • This Merlot is sourced predominately from vineyards throughout the Wahluke Slope in Eastern Washington, including our Indian Wells Vineyard. • Our most northern growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River. • The region is a consistent producer of high quality, ripe fruit, yielding wine with intense color and flavor. Winemaking: • Grapes were destemmed and sorted using cutting edge technology to gently handle fruit and remove any green material, allowing for more pure, concentrated fruit expression. • Gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins. • Aged in 51% new American and French oak barrels. Blend: 83% Merlot 17% Syrah Alcohol: 14.5% TA: 0.52 g/100ml pH: 3.95

Tasting Notes: The Indian Wells Merlot offers ripe berry fruit aromas and jammy flavors typical of Wahluke Slope reds. This is a full bodied style of warm climate Merlot with a round, supple finish. We added Wahluke Slope Syrah to enhance the mouthfeel and rich fruit character. I call this my pasta wine! - Bob Bertheau, Winemaker Blend: 86% Merlot 14% Syrah Alcohol: 14.5% Total acidity: 0.54g/100 ml pH: 3.83 ** Only 6 in Stock **

Tasting Notes: The Indian Wells Merlot offers ripe berry fruit aromas and jammy flavors typical of Wahluke Slope reds. This is a full bodied style of warm climate Merlot with a round, supple finish. We added Wahluke Slope Syrah to enhance the mouthfeel and rich fruit character. I call this my pasta wine! - Bob Bertheau, Winemaker Blend: 86% Merlot 14% Syrah Alcohol: 14.5% Total acidity: 0.54g/100 ml pH: 3.83

Four and a half glasses

Tasting Notes: The Indian Wells Merlot offers ripe berry fruit aromas and jammy flavors typical of Wahluke Slope reds. This is a full bodied style of warm climate Merlot with a round, supple finish. We added Wahluke Slope Syrah to enhance the mouthfeel and rich fruit character. I call this my pasta wine! - Bob Bertheau, Winemaker Vintage: • The 2013 growing season was warm and consistent throughout, perfect for the vines to ripen. • Harvest started early in mid-August and extended into early November as fall brought cooler temperatures. • The long, warm 2013 growing season resulted in beautifully ripe and balanced wines. Vineyards: • This Merlot is sourced predominately from vineyards throughout the Wahluke Slope in Eastern Washington, including our Indian Wells Vineyard. • Our most northern growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River. • The region is a consistent producer of high quality, ripe fruit, yielding wine with intense color and flavor. Winemaking: • Grapes were destemmed and sorted using cutting edge technology to gently handle fruit and remove any green material, allowing for more pure, concentrated fruit expression. • Gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins. • Aged in 51% new American and French oak barrels. Blend: 85% Merlot 15% Syrah Alc: 14.5% TA: 0.52g/100 ml pH: 3.81

TASTING NOTES: The Indian Wells Merlot offers ripe berry fruit aromas and jammy flavors typical of Wahluke Slope reds. This is a full bodied style of warm climate Merlot with a round, supple finish. We added Wahluke Slope Syrah to enhance the mouthfeel and rich fruit character. I call this my pasta wine! - Bob Bertheau, Winemaker VINTAGE: • 2012 was a return to the “classic” Washington vintage and a much welcomed change from the cooler 2010 and 2011 vintages. • Bud break started slightly earlier than normal but cooler temperatures through the early summer delayed veraison slightly. • A warming trend began in late July and dry conditions through mid-October were ideal for fruit ripening. VINEYARDS: • This Merlot is sourced predominately from vineyards throughout the Wahluke Slope in Eastern Washington, including our Indian Wells Vineyard. • Our most northern growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River. • The region is a consistent producer of high quality, ripe fruit, yielding wine with intense color and flavor. WINEMAKING: • Grapes were destemmed and sorted using cutting edge technology to gently handle fruit and remove any green material, allowing for more pure, concentrated fruit expression. • Gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins. • Aged in 37% new American oak, 17% new French oak, and 46% neutral oak barrels. Blend: 85% Merlot 15% Syrah Alcohol: 14.5% Total Acidity: 0.54 g/100 ml pH: 3.81