Nose
Our inaugural Cabernet Sauvignon shows alluring aromatics of tobacco leaf, black currant, graphite, forest floor and sweet cassis.
Palate
A firm yet polished mouthfeel, with dense layers of blackberries, spices, licorice & fine grain tannins lead to a long, pure and refined finish.
Growing Conditions
2015 was the hottest on record in the valley to date. Spring was warm, resulting in
an even bud break, two to three weeks earlier than normal. This was then followed
by a nice even fruit set in the vineyard. As we progressed into summer, things heated up and stayed there, stretching well into September. It seemed like summer would never end. Then, we received a nice break from the heat as well as some much-needed precipitation. As we progressed into fall, temperatures returned to normal and harvest was nicely extended. The wines of 2015 are rich, structured wines with deep flavors and surprising freshness.
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of some the most sought-after grapes in the Walla Walla Valley; Seven Hills, Summit View and Waliser Vineyards. These sites are spread across a very small geographic area, but encompass a diverse series of soil types ranging from wind-blown glacial loess to the famed basalt cobblestones of the “Rocks.” The elevation of these vineyard sites range from 900 to 1,250 feet in elevation. All vineyards are sustainably farmed, Salmon Safe and VINEA certified.
Bottling
March 2017
Winemaking
All the fruit was gently destemmed and sorted into open top fermenters with approximately 50% whole berries. A three-day cold maceration under controlled temperatures took place, after which the individual lots were inoculated with
various Bordeaux yeast selections. Fermentations were punched down twice daily, with temperatures never reaching above 80o F. After 14 days of maceration, each lot was pressed and allowed to settle in tank before going to barrel.
Aging
The wine was aged in 228-liter French oak barrels for 18 months; 72% of these barrels were new. Racking occurred twice before bottling.
Food Pairing
This wine pairs well with beef, lamb, wild game, roasted duck and firm savory cheeses.
