2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2014 vintage mirrors the 2013 vintage, but with different results. July was blistering hot with only eight days out of the month below 95° F and fourteen days over 100° F. August started out just as hot with alternating cool weather and heat spikes through the last three weeks of the month. Once again the saving grace of the vintage was a moderate September and a warm first two weeks of October. All our fruit was picked by the time the rain started the third week of October.
Some of our top Cabernet vineyards suffered from berry shrivel but still performed well at the winery. Oddly enough, our Merlot vineyards performed very well. We hung more fruit than usual to slow things down allowing the Canoe Ridge Merlot to be picked at the end of September with little to no shrivel. The 2014’s are classically proportioned and restrained. They are more similar to the 2012’s without the hefty tannins of the 2013’s, which are more flamboyant and approachable. The 2014’s have a rich sweet entry, dense mid-palate and maintain their focus through to the finish.
Blend Details
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
51% Walla Walla
49% Red Mountain
Vineyards
51% Seven Hills
46% Klipsun
3% Scooteney Flats
Aging Profile
21 months in new (38%) single use (8%) and neutral (54%) French oak barrels
Harvest Dates
October 7 – October 16, 2014
Alcohol
14.4%
Release Date
Fall, 2018
Production
302 cases of 750mL bottles
Yet another luscious and lovely effort from this tiny family-run winery; deep and juicy without losing focus; made from fruit grown in some of the best vineyards in the state. (Anthony Dias Blue)
With appellations covering Walla Walla (51%) and Red Mountain (49%), this not-yet-released red is due out this fall. Aged 21 months in new, single-use, and neutral French oak barrels and sourced from three vineyards, this small-production Cab shows off the ripeness of juicy cherries while maintaining its serious graphite-licorice core and dense texture. (Meridith May)
The fruit for this 100% varietal comes from top sites Seven Hills (51%) and Klipsun (46%), with a dash from Scooteney Flats. Its barrel spice, dried herb, cocoa, black currant, pencil lead and dark cherry aromas are locked up at the moment, but the palate is well balanced and full of fruit and crunchy tannins. It needs time to unwind. Best after 2020. (Sean Sullivan)
Polished and sleek, with elegantly layered blackberry, bay leaf and spice flavors that linger toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2023. 302 cases made. (Tim Fish)
