2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Ethos Reserve
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Tasting notes
(a blend of top lots, 63% from the very warm Cold Creek Vineyard; aged in 73% new French and American oak): Bright dark ruby. Musky, slightly reduced aromas of cassis, , mocha, blueberry and lilac Wonderfully fine-grained, penetrating flavors of slightly minty dark berries complicated by espresso and bitter chocolate. Very dense but fresh wine; not especially elegant but not at all dry or rustic. A seriously structured, ageworthy Cabernet with big, mouthcoating tannins and excellent length.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Ethos Reserve is elegant and polished, with beautiful and classy notes of cassis, black raspberries, spring flower and crushed violets. It’s medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with slightly more finesse and elegance than the Artist Series, but a similar level of depth and richness. It shows lots of minerality on the finish, has excellent balance and should evolve nicely for 15 years or more.