- 90
- points
- Wine Spectator
- Blend
- 89% Cabernet Sauvignon
8% Merlot
3% Cabernet Franc - Total Acidity
- 0.55 g/100ml
- pH
- 3.76
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Barrel Aging
- French and American oak (14 - 18 months)
40% new, 60% "neutral"
2007 vintage
2008 Horse Heaven HillsCabernet Sauvignon
"This intense, fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon delivers aromas of cherries and huckleberry jam, with a perfect balance of earthy tannins, great focus in the mid-palate and a soft, smooth cocoa finish." Ray Einberger, Winemaker
A perfect growing season with full crop yields and restrained sugar levels led to outstanding wines from Washington state’s vineyards in 2008. Harvest began 10 days later than normal due to cool spring weather and a moderate summer.
Hot weather in August provided ideal ripening conditions for grapes across all varietals and harvest was quickly ramped up in order to obtain fruit at the optimum ripeness.
Grapes were crushed at 20% whole-berry to retain fruit quality.
Fermentation lasted 6-10 days on the skins to extract optimum fruit and structural components.
Various yeasts were used to maintain fruit fl avors and complexity.
The wine was racked at three month and six month intervals during the 14-18 month barrel aging period.
