Artisan Wine & Spirits® Chateau Ste Michelle Merlot 2012 (Columbia Valley, Washington) – 6057303703711

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
• Columbia Valley vineyards lie in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and receive just 6-8 inches of rainfall annually.
• Warm, sunny days and cool evening temperatures create ideal conditions for intense aroma and flavor development in the ripening grapes.
• A northerly latitude gives the Columbia Valley roughly two more hours of sunlight daily during the peak-growing season than California, increasing the region’s ability to ripen fruit.

WINEMAKING
• Ripe grapes were destemmed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.
• Gentle pumpovers during fermentation were used to extract color and flavor and produce soft, supple tannins.
• Aged 14 months in French and American oak, 30% new.

TECHNICAL DATA
Total acidity = 0.52g/100ml
pH = 3.78
Alcohol = 13.5%
Blend 92% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 5% blenders (Malbec, Grenache, Mourvedre and Petit Verdot)