Palate
A classic Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, true to varietal character, with appealing, earthy aromas and flavors, including a streak of graphite, dark cherry, blackberry, and a hint of dried herbs. Well-structured with plenty of backbone, like an Old-World Cab but with the focused concentration of a New World wine, the
2018 Feather is an iron fist in a velvet glove.
Growing Conditions
After a slow start to spring, the 2018 growing season heated up quickly. Temperatures stayed quite warm throughout the summer, then the weather moderated significantly in early September to extend hangtime. Harvest conditions were ideal as the Columbia Valley settled into a pattern of warm days and cool nights to slow ripening just enough to allow the grapes to mature fully without sacrificing acidity. The result is a vintage marked by balanced, concentrated wines with appealing texture and richness.
Winemaking
Handpicked grapes were sorted, lightly crushed, and fermented in small stainless steel tanks. To help the wine develop optimal structure and extract concentrated color and flavor, the cap was pumped over vigorously at peak fermentation. As fermentation neared completion, pump overs were handled more gently to further extract color and delicate flavors without imparting harsh
tannins. When ready for barrel, the wine was aged 22 months in all French oak barrels, 90% new.
