Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Vintage: 2018

Composition: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot

VINTAGE NOTES

The 2018 vintage is already showing as one of my favorites of all time to work with. A slightly late, to on time bud break was quickly followed by the month of May which was over-the-top warm and lead us to great canopy growth. June, however, brought cooler weather that then warmed up substantially in July and August and we got through bloom and began to ripen quickly. The hallmark of the vintage though, was September and October as we experienced absolutely some of the best, most consistent, harvest weather I have seen. Warm but milder temperatures, cool nights, and a long finish to the growing season led to perfectly ripened grapes. This vintage was the first year that was completely made in our new estate facility, and marks a year where our goal of “elegance” really starts to show off as we slowly back away from new oak usage and started to increase aging Cabernet in concrete tulips and Austrian oak ovals. I am tremendously proud of our team and these wines and am excited to share this vintage with you.

Tasting Notes:

Dark ruby in color, this wine takes time to unfold but screams of where it is grown – two sites in tons of basalt. McQueen with fractured basalt, and LeFore with rolled river rock, there is iron and petrichor leading aromatically with blueberry, eucalyptus, and freshly ground coffee. This wine is true elegance wrapped inside power with more blue fruit, a beautiful sweetness, and large, broad tannins.

**Items unable to be shipped.  If winner is not present at gala, please contact Karen Monda at karen@survivefirst.us for pickup in Brevard County, FL.