After a long, long day trip up to DC, about 6 hours of so on the road, I arrived back in my home area of Williamsburg and was jonesing for a little bit of vino to take the edge off and end the night on a good note. Not wanting to waste a good bottle, especially since my palate was destroyed by that point, I picked out a bottle I bought the previous week on a whim, the 2006 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon by Chateau Ste. Michelle. For those who don't know, Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the biggest and oldest wine producers in the state of Washington and through various partnerships produces some amazing wines, including their Erioca Reisling. I picked up the Indian Wells bottle from the local Farm Fresh for $16.99, which is on the lower end for mid-priced Cab. So, lets see if its money well spent.
Initial Impressions: Overall a very dark, blackish, ruby color in the glass and just reeks, and I mean reeks, sugary candied grapes and assorted Nerd candies. Overall its very attractive in the glass, with a nice dark color, thicker texture, and looking very concentrated and extracted. The intial nose suggests a huge amount of New World love in it, which is definitely the style they were going for on their website.
Nose: Put your nose in a huge bowl of assorted candies, that is this nose. It has a huge, and I mean HUGE, amount of sugary, candied fruits on the nose. There is a little milk chocolate on the back end, but no real depth or difference in flavors beside the whole attack of candy and sugar. This is definitely attractive smelling, but it is a little much and kinda puts me off on the wine intially. I have found this nose on the lower end offerings from Columbia Crest and many other large California producers, who roll in at under $10. Overall, not too promising at this pricepoint.
Taste: This wine I could definitely find for under $10 anywhere else in the world, and probably find a better wine. It is loaded with a huge amount of sugary, candied black and red fruits. Extremely explosive and overbearing, kinda like the date who just didnt take no for an answer. This wine is overall a huge New World Cabernet bomb, with no real depth, earthiness, or thickness on the palate. Comes off as slightly thin and incipid. Some may love this profile, unfortunately, I am not one of them.
Overall: This wine I would best compare to fermented Kool-Aid, loaded up with sugary, simple goodness. It is way way way too much for me in the sugar department, but could be a hit for those just getting into wine and those who just love this style. Overall, I am not feeling it. 74 Points
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