Palate

Pure velvet, deep and delicious black fruit, cedar and tobacco, and cassis. It conveys concentration richness and yet purity and focus.

Growing Conditions

The 2016 vintage started early and warm in Washington State. When summer arrived, the season saw cooler evenings that helped retain acidity, extending the growing and ripening period into September and October. This allowed the fruit to gain more complexity and deeper charm without sacrificing the acid or producing higher alcohol content. The vintage has created deeply rich and focused wines that we will be able to enjoy for a long time to come.

Sources:

Sundance: One of the oldest vineyards on the Wahluke Slope, planted in 1997. The site is topsoil over gravel, sand, and broken down basalt with more caliche than other sites in the Wahluke. The vineyard, because of its aspect, is also a later ripening site,allowing for great concentration.

Art Den Hoed: 250 acres over the south slope of the Rattlesnake Mountains in the Yakima AVA at 1,300 feet elevation. The excellent air, drainage and higher elevation workto preserve the natural acids in the grapes while flavors mature.

Goose Ridge: This 2,200-acre vineyard receives less than 8 inches of rainfall annually. Itis a gently sloped, south-facing site adjacent to Red Mountain. Long, warm summer days and cool nights produce grapes noted for their ripe, rich character.

Weyns: Located in the Royal Slope area, which is part of the Columbia Valley AVA. Its elevation is about 1,000 feet on sandy loam soils.

Hawk: 150 acres in the Wahluke Slope that was planted in 2010. The site has an elevationof 750-850 feet, with a gentle southwest slope and has alluvial, sandy soils.

Oasis: Located in the Yakima Valley, this higher elevation site is located on the north edge of Yakima Valley. It has silt-loam soil that allows proper drainage.

Purple Sage: Located on the Wahluke Slope, this site is made up of sandy, alluvial soil

Winemaking

Whole Berry Fermentation. Yeast: Native Fermentation

Aging

30% New French Oak, 10 Months Barrel-Aged on Lee