Tasting Notes
Opulent red hues present in this wine. Aromas of blackberry, black currant, and cassis combine with dark cocoa and toasted oak. On the palate, flavors of plum, raspberry, and blackberry compote mingle with attractive elements of mocha and toasted barrel maturation. A structured yet elegant cabernet sauvignon.
Technical Note
Winemaking
An extreme winter in 2017 left our lakes full, which was welcome after several dry years. This groundwater primed the vineyards for what turned out to be another excellent harvest. Early spring saw lovely days with May quickly warming up. The summer’s several heat spells caused the vineyards to accelerate their ripening, while conditions remained dry. Cabernet Sauvignon harvest kicked off on September 20, 2017.
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. Then, individual berries were sorted to ensure that only ideal grapes were chosen. These berries were delivered to a fermenter for a period of resting on skins. Warm fermentation temperatures were encouraged along with gentle cap maceration to achieve the desired color and structure before an extended maceration time on skins prior to final pressing. The wine was transferred directly to barrel for 20 months of maturation.
Accolades
91 Points, James Suckling – A firm, silky red with soft, tight tannins that nicely frame this juicy and delicious red with currant and berry character. Not the biggest wine, but thoroughly delicious already. Drink or hold.
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast – Dark berry dominates a waxy texture in this soft, gently tannic wine—a likably approachable and value-minded offering that delivers full flavor within a graceful frame.
90 Points, Jeb Dunnuck – The value-priced 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is also well done in this vintage, and it has to be one of the better efforts under $50. Lots of mulled dark fruits, dried herbs, lead pencil, and earth emerge from this plump, spicy, character-filled effort. It’s well worth drinking and will keep for a decade.
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