A Wine for Tonight: 2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling



By Kori ~ November 25th, 2010.

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling from the Columbia Valley of Washington State.

Our selection criteria include:

  • A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
  • A price tag of <=$15
  • Must be widely available

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s founding winery with its roots dating back to the repeal of Prohibition. In 1976, Ste. Michelle built a French-style chateau in Woodinville, just northeast of Seattle. While all of Chateau Ste. Michelle’s vineyards are located on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, all of their white wines, including this Riesling, are made in Woodinville.

“Cold Creek Vineyard is known for producing a rich, soft style of Riesling because of the area’s warm temperatures. The wine offers aromas of ripe peach and grapefruit with a refined elegance and a refreshing finish. The wine’s concentration and intense focused fruit is attributed to the older vines at Cold Creek.” –Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

This Riesling would be a great, economical choice to pair with your Thanksgiving turkey and dressing tonight.

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling (Cold Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale, greenish straw yellow in color. Very aromatic with white peach, lime, and minerality on both the nose and palate. Slightly off-dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Well-balanced with a long finish. Residual sugar: 2%
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $15 to $16

Happy Thanksgiving!


Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, American Wine, Riesling, Washington State Wine, White Wine, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

Reader's Comments

  1. Terry | November 25th, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    tried the sweet whites with some of the t-day offerings. Liked the pinot gris, and gwurtz blends. Fav was still syrah and petit syrah from paso robles, especially if you flavor up the bird with something interesting: cajun, sriracha, or whatever. So good!

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  6. Jan | November 28th, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    Have always loved your Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling!

  7. Kori | November 30th, 2010 at 11:27 am

    Terry,
    Thanks for sharing your pairings. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Cheers!

  8. st michelle vineyard washington | May 17th, 2011 at 10:14 pm

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