Chateau St. Michelle Riesling Eroica 2006 – Washington

This is the product of a joint venture between Washington’s Chateau St. Michelle and Germany’s Dr. Loosen wineries. This particular bottle showed to us what a difference a vintage can make. We hadn’t had this wine in a couple of years, but had previously thought of it almost as Tokaji-like, with a wonderful balance of sweetness and acid. Now, however, this time around we’re less impressed. The wine starts with a floral, citrus, and honey nose, and the tastes come on as kiwi, honey, grapefruit, and pineapple. It’s probably that grapefruit tinge that takes it down several notches from our previous memories of other vintages. Yes (if future tastings reveal more of the “older” style), or Maybe (if they are like this bottle). About $25