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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
78% Cabernet Sauvignon Pepper Bridge, Artz Vineyard on Red Mountain and Alder Ridge, 22% Merlot Boushey, Artz Vineyard on Red Mountain, and Pepper Bridge. Initially, the cool summer of 1999 appeared to be a challenging one for grape growers and winemakers, until late August when the sun warmed the Columbia Valley to near perfect grape ripening conditions. The fine weather held through the end of harvest, ripening the small berried grape clusters perfectly. The cool summer developed intense, rich flavor and color in the grapes while the hot fall ripened the fruit and rounded out the grape tannins. Consequently, the wines of 1999 have greater depth of flavor and complexity than the luscious, ripe wines from the extraordinarily hot 1998 vintage. 1998 was reputed to be the best vintage of the decade in Washington, but we believe that 1999 outshines it. The nose has a complex array of black plum, licorice and caramel. The mouth feel is silky and well layered with soft tannins. Berry flavors linger on the long finish.
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Varietal Definition
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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