World renowned. Washington grown.
Reserve
Horse Heaven Hills
Grand Estates
Two Vines
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2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
“Black olive, cherry and chocolate aromatics precede a palate of cocoa, black cherry and vanilla flavors. This is an intense, complex wine that culminates in a balanced, lingering finish.” -Ray Einberger, Winemaker
Growing Season
- The growing season began with cool weather that modestly delayed bud break and fruit set.
- Consistent and ideal weather conditions from mid-summer to early fall, with daytime to nighttime swings spanning as much as 40 degrees, were perfect for fruit maturation.
- Grape clusters were compact with large, fully-mature berries.
- Fruit quality was excellent, marking the 5th consecutive quality vintage.
Vineyards
- Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for the Reserve program were harvested from less than 10% of the vintage’s best vineyard sites.
- Vineyards sites are located on the Wahluke Slope offering aromatics, texture and complexity and on the Horse Heaven Hills contributing balance and body to the finished wine.
- Cabernet Sauvignon has an affinity for the growing season’s warm daytime temperatures and cooler evening temperatures. The balance between daytime and nighttime temperatures during the ripening period concentrated aromatics and enhanced complexity.
- The region’s low rainfall stressed the vines, yielding concentrated fruit with depth and varietal expression.
Vinification
- Hand-picked grapes were crushed with 20% whole berries remaining.
- Cold soaking on the skins for two days extracted soft tannins and intense color.
- Twice-daily pump overs during fermentation occurred for 7-10 days to aerate the wine and enhance aromatics and bouquet.
- Lots are blended and placed in one-half new French and one-half new American oak barrels for malolactic fermentation.
- Aging occured for 24 months in the barrel.
Technical Data
- Total acidity: 0.59 g/100ml
- pH: 3.81
- Alcohol: 14.1%