2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

Winemaker Bob Bertheau has taken this huge producer's white wines to a higher level since his ascension to the top position in 2004. The best news of all is that his Chardonnays are reasonably priced and widely available in the retail market. This winery also has a long track record for crisp, juicy Rieslings with noteworthy flavor intensity. Most savory of all is their Eroica, a slightly off-dry stone-fruit-and-spice-bomb of a Riesling made with the participation of Germany's Ernst Loosen. The less complex -- and somewhat sweet -- basic Columbia Valley bottling is hard to beat in its price range.

Winemaker Bob Bertheau has taken this huge producer's white wines to a higher level since his ascension to the top position in 2004. The best news of all is that his Chardonnays are reasonably priced and widely available in the retail market. This winery also has a long track reco... more