2015 Wallula Vineyard “Andreas” Cabernet Sauvignon - Den Hoed Wine Estates

Tense blackberry, cigar box, lean dark cherry. Ripe black currant, crushed graphite, dehydrated licorice. Black tea and dried eucalyptus leaf, burning tobacco and roasted espresso. Composed and cerebral, spilling layer upon layer of stimulating complexity at each careful observation. Ripe yet restrained fruit leads the initial charge, showcasing tart blueberry and plum skin before shifting sharply towards savory and spice. Anise, cedar, dried thyme, and clove reveal a delicate kiss of oak that manifests itself further as crème brûlée, mocha, and wood char. Pencil lead and dry earth blend with cacao nib and pepper flakes in a profile that is simultaneous rich, lean, concentrated, and weightless. Medium plus in body, with pronounced tannin of crushed velvet and marvelous acidity. This 2015 Wallula Vineyard "Andreas" Cabernet Sauvignon by Den Hoed Wine Estates is brilliantly crafted Washington Cabernet.

Washington State is a unique winegrowing region in that its identity seems to be highly fluid. Greatly varied climates and topography allow everything from Riesling to Grenache to grow well here, but recently certain strengths are starting to become more evident. This bottling, crafted by Den Hoed Wine Estates using 100% Cab Sauv from the Wallula Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills, confirms that Cabernet is one of Washington's greatest assets. This wine is extraordinarily complex containing sizable doses of both new world power and old world restraint. Its perfectly balanced and tremendously interesting, without even a hint of flab or excess weight. Truly remarkable.