1999
Columbia Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon

     The 1999 vintage saw the birth of Robert Karl Cellars after a four year gestational period. Our quest to produce a world class Cabernet Sauvignon was coming to fruition. Although it did not start out as such, 1999 will no doubt go down in the books as a superb vintage. The first half of the growing season was cold; we thinned the crop to ripen and produce the quality of fruit we were after. It did indeed produce absolutely stunning fruit. This was wonderful because as every lover of great wine knows, wine is made in the vineyard.

     On the nose are aromas of spice, mint, blackberry, and vanilla. In the mouth, this wine is a complex, full bodied wine with blackberry and cassis overtones, laced with cream, with a finish that lingers on and on. This wine was made to showcase the wonderful varietal flavors of Washington Cabernet and the terrior of the Yakima Valley. Enjoy this wine now or allow to cellar another 5 to 10 years while the flavors of cedar, tobacco, and leather mature.

     The 1999 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was released May 2002. It is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc from DuBrul, Del Sol and Whitestone vineyards. It was aged in 100% new French oak for 21 months. The alcohol by volume is 13.5%, pH is 3.45, and titratable acidity is 0 .67 g/ml. It was bottled July 27, 2001.

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AWARDS
1999 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold Medal, Northwest Enological Society
Gold Medal, Washington State Wine Competition
Silver, Northwest Wine Summit

REVIEWS
88/88 Black fruit and cedar pleasure the nose. Sporting bright acidity and a medium framework, black cherry jam and boysenberries delight the palate. The finish is long and fruity. Randy Buckner Wine Lovers Page (May 2003)

87 Good, firm, tart fruit sets the wine up sharply with berry, cherry and cranberry flavors. It’s balanced, not too ripe (13.6% alcohol) and has well-integrated oak in the toasty finish. — P.G. (12/31/2003)

86 Smooth and velvety, with juicy plum and berry flavors that echo lightly on the finish. Drink now through 2004. 610 cases made. --H.S. ( 2002)