2012 Dollarhide Elevation

Winemaking

The fruit was hand harvested in the cool morning hours and brought to the winery in half ton bins. At the winery, the clusters were sorted using a double sorting system. First, the clusters were sorted by hand. The fruit then ran through a small destemmer that removed stems from the grapes prior to the individual berries being sorted to ensure that the most ideal grapes were chosen. These berries were delivered to a fermenter where there was a period of resting on skins. Warm fermentation temperatures were encouraged along with gentle cap maceration to achieve the desired color and structure for the wine before an extended maceration time on skins prior to final pressing. The wine was transferred directly to barrel for 19 months of maturation.

Accolades

94 Points, Robert Parker – “The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2012 Proprietary Red Dollarhide Estate Elevation exhibits notions of bay leaf, unsmoked cigar tobacco, fruitcake, licorice and red and blackcurrants.

93 Points, Jed Dunnuck – The 2012 ‘Dollarhide Elevation’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an absolute seductive wine. It bursts open with complex aromas of ripe dark currants, black cherries, crème de cassis, bell pepper, mocha, caramel and anise which are all woven together in this supple wine. It possesses a full body, with a round polished texture that delivers layer upon layer of delicious flavors all the way through the plush, juicy finish. This is absolutely delicious and will be approachable upon release.

92 Points, James Suckling – A solid cabernet sauvignon with blueberry, black currant and licorice character. Full body, integrated tannins and a bright and refreshing finish. Very fine. Drink or hold.

91 Points, Wine Spectator – Enticingly smooth and creamy, with pure, ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors, showing touches of mocha-scented oak and herb. Ends with a supple, graceful finish.