Varietal Composition: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot Alcohol: 13.6% by volume Time in Oak: 18 months in new French Release Date: September 1999 Production: 2,636 cases
This 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from grapes grown on slopes high above the Columbia River at Canoe Ridge Vineyard (85%) and Champoux Vineyard (11%) and in Walla Walla Valley at Pepper Bridge Vineyard (4%).
The 1997 vintage allowed orderly ripening with long, slow maturity of grape flavors in both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In vintages when this occurs, we are able to work with physiologically mature fruit which gives extreme ripeness and concentration. This wine was punched down and pumped over in small stainless steel vats three to four times per day. Fermentation length varied between one and two weeks. After very gentle pressing and initial racking, this wine was moved to new French chateau barrels for aging. The wine was bottled unfiltered in April of 1999.
This Cabernet is integrated with spicy new oak, ripe cherry fruit, great structure and a deep red color. The wine is beautifully proportioned with a long, lingering finish of cherry/black fruits, chocolate and toasted oak. This wine may be consumed now, but will benefit greatly from additional cellaring and should easily age for a decade or more.
Lowden, Washington 99360
