Cuvée

2018
Cuvée

Red and black currants, spiced plum and black cherry. Swirling brings up red fruits and sandalwood. Fresh, but ripe, with bright fruit and good tension. Long and smooth tannins with a finish of plum, blackberry and vanilla bean spice.

Vintages

Varietal(s)

60% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet

Vinification

Fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel tanks. Aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels.

Alcohol

14.4%

Cases Produced

2,156

Vintage Notes

The 2018 Cuvée was crafted from several vineyards across the Columbia Valley, Walla Walla and Red Mountain AVAs. Farmed using sustainable practices, they were hand-harvested in the early mornings September 21- November 2, 2018. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in either concrete or stainless steel tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to French oak barrels for 22 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. The resulting 37 barrels were bottled, without fining or filtration, October 6, 2020, producing only 2,207 cases.

Expert Reviews & Scores

Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

93 / 100

Editor's Choice. This is a new offering from this long-time winery, a blend of 60% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Cabernet Franc. The aromas take some time to get going, with notes of cocoa powder, barrel spice, dark chocolate, cherry and whiffs of green pepper. Ripe black currant and raspberry flavors follow, bringing layering and seamlessness. It sticks around for a long time on the raspberry- and cocoa-filled finish. It is absolutely delicious.

Owen Bargreen, Vinous

91 / 100

Sourced from the Solaksen, Stillwater Creek and Scarline vineyards, the 2018 Cuvée blends 60% Merlot with smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The palate shows medium-bodied red fruit flavors that mingle with minerals and smoky undertones. Enjoy over the next 8-10 years

Trade Materials