2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells

Wine: 2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells
Estate: Chateau Ste. Michelle
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State

Location: Drank at home on 2/10/2016

Tasting Note:
Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the oldest wine estates out of Washington State. One venture that Chateau Ste. Michelle is known for is forming winery partnerships, such as with the Piero Antinori from Tuscany with the Col Solare Estate and with Ernst Loosen from Mosel with Eroica. Additionally, they are specifically known for two things. 1. Riesling and 2. several vineyards in Eastern Washington. The Eastern Washington vineyards include Canoe Ridge, Indian Wells and Cold Creek. 

This specific bottling contains 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah. These grapes came from all three of the Eastern Washington vineyards, 67% from Indian Wells vineyard, 26% from Cold Creek vineyard and 7% from the Canoe Ridge Estate. Aged in 51% new American and French oak for 16 months. The winemaker is Bob Bertheau.

Wine was light violet with a deep core. Lovely nose with quite a few different notes. Slightly savory, broken tree branches and blackberry notes. Solid acidity (6/10) and light tannins (4.5/10). Acidity gives the medium body a little bit of a bite or spiciness. Lots of darker fruits notes like blackberries and black cherries. Moderate finish that lingers for around 5 to 6 seconds. Slightly vegetal and earthy in the finish with some green peppers and dry slate rock. Drink till 2019.

Rating: 88

Price: $ - $16.95 from Total Wine & More.

2012 Maloney Wines Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Elephant Mountain Vineyard

Wine: 2012 Maloney Wines Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Elephant Mountain Vineyard

Estate: Maloney Wines

Vineyards: Elephant Mountain Vineyard

Location: Rattlesnake Hills AVA, Washington State
Winemaker: Joshua Maloney
Elevage: 20 months in 50% new French Oak (Dargau & Jaegle).
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Decant: Six hours, per recommendation of Josh.

Location: At home on 10/16/2015.

 
Tasting Note:
Color: Dark opaque red and is not cloudy at all
Nose/Smell: The nose has a light hint of cassis near the middle to end, and some chalk. Additionally as the wine aired a little longer (around hour 7 or 8) some cherry notes began to appear in the nose.
Palate/Taste: Within the palate there are some moderate plus rounded tannins, which lead to moderate and smooth finish. The smoothness in the mouthfeel most definitely came from the 6 hour decant that Josh recommended. I also tasted a little bit of cassis, and some smokiness at the end. Finish is long and can definitely benefit from cellaring.
Opinion: Overall I was impressed with the Single Vineyard Elephant Mountain Cabernet Sauvingon from Maloney. This definitely needed the 6 hour decant, which helped to mellow out and rounded out the tannins. As for longevity, it is a screw top bottle which I believe is supposed to slow down the aging of a wine compared to a cork. This leads me to believe that this wine has the drink dates of 2015 until 2025. If you have to try it now, use the 6+ hour decant and you will not regret it!
Dates: 2015 - 2025
Rating: 94
Price: $$ - $65.00