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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
For the first time since making Grâce we have blended all five Bordeaux varieties, namely: abouot 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, about 20% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Malbec and 2% Petite Verdot.
The varietal percentages are only part of the story, however. A true Washington State, Columbia Valley wine, grapers are sourced from four official appellations. Fred Artz vineyard on Red Mountain complements fruit from Paul Champoux at Mercer Ranch in the Horse Heaven Hills, which merges with fruit from Butch Milbrandt's Clifton Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. In addition small lots come from Chandler Reach, Craford Family Vineyard, and Meek Family Vineyard, all in the Prosser-Benton City areas of the Yakima Valley. Each vineyard brings structure for long-term aging, but we think you will find the 2003 Grâce quite attractive now.
Past vintages of Grâce have scored multiple international awards including a Double Gold at the San Francisco International Competition and Platinum in head to head tastings with other Gold-medal wining wines. The 2003 follows in this tradition.
Wine making for the Grâce emphasizes the development of flavor layers and complementarity. This is achieved though the use of multiple yeasts during fermentation, a barreling regime that uses both French and American oak (about 25% new each year), and secret incantations at and during the gibbous moon (usually sung alone in counter tenor by the winemaker)
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Varietal Definition
Cabernet Franc:
Cabernet Franc is an accessible, spicy, herbal, dark blue grape variety that is often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Sometimes the French refer to Cabernets, which could mean either of the two grapes. Its typical aromas include an herbaceous and pronounced peppery nose, even in ripe fruit, and something eerily like tobacco. The Cabernet Franc ripens at an earlier stage, which gives it reason to exist in the Bordeaux area. In the Loire, where we find it a lot, it gives a clear red fresh and fruity wine.
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Cabernet Sauvignon:
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted and significant among the five dominant varieties in France’s Bordeaux region, as well as the most successful red wine produced in California. Though it was thought to be an ancient variety, recent genetic studies at U.C. Davis have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the hybrid offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon berries are small with black, thick and very tough skin. This toughness makes the grapes fairly resistant to disease and spoilage and able to withstand some autumn rains with little or no damage. It is a mid to late season ripener. These growth characteristics, along with its flavor appeal have made Cabernet Sauvignon one of the most popular red wine varieties worldwide.
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Merlot:
Merlot is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal. Although it came to France in the first century, it was not named until the 1880s. Merlot was originally used only for blending, as it is soft and compliant, very useful in softening other Bordeaux wines like Cabernets. Recently in California and Chile it became popular as a 100% varietal wine. Merlot tends to be easier to grow in a variety of soil conditions and is harvested earlier in the year than Cabernet. Although most Merlots are made to be drunk earlier, there are many with complexities of a Cabernet. Flavors of plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate and orange pair well with rich, red pasta dishes, hearty chicken dishes, and any beef combination that you fancy. The perfect match of course is chocolate. Not only does the chocolate compliment the wine and vice-versa, but the essence of both flavors linger eternally.
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Malbec:
Originating from the Bordeaux region of France, this grape is among the "big six" for red wine grapes. Malbec is typically a medium to full-bodied red wine. Ripe fruit flavors of plums and blackberry give it a jammy characteristic. The tannins are typically a bit tight and the earthy, wood-like appeal makes for a fairly rustic wine. Malbec goes well with roast meats such as chicken or turkey. It should be served at 58F and can be aged for up to 5 years typically.
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