Wine of the Week: Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon
Ok, I’m going to be honest with you guys… the wine we’re reviewing today is an old “Go-To” for me. There are a few wines that have earned the Go-To label that I definitely plan to introduce you to, but being that WOTW has been more of an “exploratory” journey, I’ve kind of held out.
Until today. But that wasn’t the original plan.
See, I have not had wine all week -which is rare, but I felt a little detox was necessary. So I have been waiting all week for this day! I sent the hubby to the store to grab us this week’s WOTW. When he asked me what he should get, I suggested Pinot Noir (a new kick I’m on since the Love Pinot Noir) and a surprise wine.
So I was quite excited when he got home. I opened up the first bottle, a Pinot Noir. The name on the label looked familiar and I had a bad feeling… like I wasn’t remembering it for a good reason. Oh man, was I right!! After the first sip, I dumped the glass back in the bottle. I guess I was thinking that I had the other “surprise” bottle that was sure to be better than this crap, and that by the time I get to the end of the surprise bottle, I might not mind this one as much. HA.
Wrong again.
I opened the “surprise” bottle- a Chianti. Crappy also, but more tolerable than the Pinot Noir. I wasn’t happy to be having either- especially having waited all week for the fruity goodness!! I had to plead with my poor husband to run to the store and get me something I could actually drink.
Like the wonderful husband he is, he went. Let me remind you that I am no wine snob and no wine connoisseur. Those two bottles were just actually that freaking bad. I fought with whether or not I should write a review on those two, but my mother taught me that if you have nothing nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all.
Need I say more?
Let’s just put it this way- We have an old antique in our front hallway that we picked up at an auction. Although beautiful, we’ve been unable to get this musty smell out of it- and we’ve tried EVERYTHING. It’s been 3 years and we’ve tried so many different methods of “must” removal to no avail. Well, I feel like that antique is where this Chianti has been living since 2014. In a musty, old, piece of stinky furniture. And that’s really being nice, people.
Anyways- in comes my beloved Chateau Ste. Michelle. Always a go-to for us, but it especially reminds me of when we lived in WA State. It’s always a pleasure to see, taste, and remember. Let’s get on to the review…
In this 9th Edition of Wine and Lavender’s Wine of the Week, we are exploring:
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
HEB Price: $14.49
Sight: Maybe my bulbs need changing, but this cab looks like it has a dark fuschia tint to it. It’s like there are reds and purples dancing together when I twirl it. It appears to be full bodied to me.
Smell: The smell is delicious. What a fruity/happy smell! There is definitely some alcohol in this wine, but it’s not too strong or nose clearing. You can smell the sweetness, and I’m excited to take the first sip…
Taste/First Impression: I swirled the wine in my mouth and actually felt like it pinched my tongue. My tongue was probably just happy to taste it. It kicks a little and then trails off into a fruity bliss…
After taste: This wine does not leave a dry or nasty aftertaste in your mouth. My husband really likes the “kick”.
The Experience: Although this wine is a little pricier than some of the others, it’s definitely worth it. This Cab is definitely one of my favorites because of taste and the nice buzz that comes with it.
The Next Day: We both really enjoy this wine, so my husband and I had a glass-pouring audit while we were drinking it (he swears I poured a bigger glass, I swore he did…). I could swear that he was hogging it all, but according to him we had equal parts. Having said that, although I wanted to, I couldn’t overindulge and as expected, no headaches or dehydration followed in the AM.
The Label: “With new world fruit intensity in an elegant old world style, this inviting Cabernet has complexity, silky tannins, and suppleness…”. It’s definitely invited to my house whenever it wants.
Alc. %: 13.5%
Repeat: Always and please. Chateau Ste. Michelle is always a go-to for me… When I don’t feel like wasting time/money on exploring others.
Rating: 4. I don’t think you need an explanation for this rating.
Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely one of my faves, but here’s another Cabernet you’ll love that’s cheaper. If Cabs or just reds in general aren’t your thing, check out the many other reviews I’ve posted here.
So what’s your favorite “go-to” Cabernet Sauvignon? Have you tried this one? Comment below.
Check out this #winereview of Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet, by a Mom who loves wine! Share on X
Tell me you’ve been to Chateau St. Michelle when you lived here… it’s BEAUTIFUL!!! 😍💕
I so wish I could tell you that I had the chance to go there! I’m sure it is gorgeous!! But no- I’ve never been…yet. You may have just added to my 2017 resolutions, Katrina!
I love Chateau St. Michelle. Such a good one. Plus, I’ve tried the Ruffino a time or too and it’s okay when I am looking for something different, but it’s hard to not like a good cab or merlot.
I love Chateau, too! One of the better ones that I’ve had was Stags Leap, but it’s not as budget-friendly as Chateau. Thanks for stopping by!! 🙂
I like it for a middle of the Week wine. I 100% agree on the Ruffino Chianti . I’ve opened three bottles in one night before too when the first two were just that bad.
I like Josh Cabernet too.
Thanks for stopping by, Lynn! Ugh, I know how much it stinks to open multiple bottles of wine that aren’t even drinkable… what a waste!! Glad I could offer a few suggestions on the blog- I’ll definitely have to try Josh Cabernet.
This is definitely my “go to” wine now! It was great. I appreciate your suggestion and I definitely will be buying it again. I do NOT say that a lot about wine! I love that I can find it at HEB, but also that I can find it right around the corner at Walgreens! Thank you and keep your reviews coming!
Hey Hope!! Thanks for stopping by! I’m so glad you liked it- Chateau Ste Michelle is definitely a good “go-to” for reds. I’ve got a few more wines that are worthy of “go-to” status from HEB, and I’m excited to get them out, so stay tuned. And don’t worry, so long as the wine is flowing, the reviews will keep coming- and I have no intentions of not drinking wine. LOL