2013 Dollarhide Elevation

Winemaking

The winter of early 2013 began with little rainfall, but precipitation improved in February and March. Spring was dry and warm, the best conditions to encourage vine growth. Excellent weather continued throughout the summer with temperatures that were warm but not extreme. With one rain event in September settling the dust, harvest took place under exceptional weather conditions that resulted in phenomenal ripening of the fruit. Harvested by hand in the cool morning hours, the grapes were brought to the winery where they were hand sorted. Warm fermentation temperatures along with gentle cap maceration helped achieve the desired color and structure for the wine before an extended maceration time on the skins.

Accolades

92 Points, Jeb Dunnuck – The ‘Dollarhide Elevation’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from St. Supéry’s Dollarhide Estate Vineyard where the vineyard elevations range from 600 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The 2013 is an excellent wine, dark in color with aromas of black cherries and black currant woven together with sweet spices, mocha and hints of dusty minerals. On the palate this is well balanced and displays a lovely soft, round texture which carries on through the lingering finish. This is a delicious Cabernet that will be accessible upon release, but also evolve nicely with some short term cellaring.

91 Points, James Suckling – A wine from a mountain vineyard displaying fresh aromas of blueberries with plums, graphite and some stony notes. Espresso undertones. This well-crafted cab shows tension and complexity, plus a freshness unusual in this tasting. Polished tannins. Needs two to three years to soften.

91 Points, Robert Parker – The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Dollarhide Elevation has a dense purple color and a big, sweet kiss of Christmas spices along with cedar wood, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and sweet black and red currant fruit. It is nicely layered, medium to full-bodied, with relatively ripe, well-integrated, sweet tannin.