2002
Columbia Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2002 vintage was one of the great classic Washington vintages. If you compare the average heat-unit curve for Washington vineyards to the 2002 curve, they are practically identical. We enjoyed an excellent harvest. This was a year of deep color compounds called anthocyanins. The Cabernets marched into the winery lot after lot, all consisting of perfectly matured fruit with exciting, outspoken flavors.

The 2002 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Cabernet franc. The fruit was sourced from Alder Ridge, DuBrul, Phinny Hill, and Tapteil vineyards. It was aged in 100% new French oak for 19 months. The alcohol by volume is 14.8%, pH is 3.65, and titratable acidity is 0 .6g/ml. It was bottled January, 2004.

SOLD OUT

AWARDS
Platinum, Wine Press Northwest
Gold Medal, LA County Fair
Silver, West Coast Wine Competition
Bronze Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition

REVIEWS
Excellent Wine Press NW Fab-Cab Tasting No other winery placed a second entry so high in this judging, which shows consistency over consecutive vintages for this Spokane operation with a devoted following. Dark chocolate, cherries, earth and baking spice aromas transition to flavors of black cherries and raspberries wrapped by firm structure that more age will open up, although the alcohol - the highest of the competition at 15.2% - is a concern.

93 Wine & Spirits This is a generous and warm cabernet drawn mostly from Horse Heaven Hills vineyards, including Alder Ridge, Andrews, and Phinny Hill Vineyard (adjacent to Champoux.) It has a dark, rich core of plum flavor, but there’s a fresh gush coursing through the wine, glancing off the warm caramel oak tones, black cherries and deep, dark, gripping tannins. After a day it becomes spicier, with beguiling, savory carrot cake spices, more generous and yet every bit as precise in the glass. A prime rib wine. (August 2005)

93 Wine Enthusiast Dense, firm and muscular, hinting at layers of cassis, berry, cherry, cranberry and more. A dark, rich and thick wine layered with red and black fruits. The tannins are fine grained and mouth coating, and the fruit is intense with streaks of smoke, anise, herb, soy and baking chocolate. Complex and richly, densely layered. Will age beautifully. -P.G. April 2006

2001 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
1999 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon