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Wine Details
Price:
$30.00 per bottle
Description:
The grapes for our Yakima Valley blend were sourced from the exceptional vines of Kestrel View Estates Vineyard in Prosser, but it also includes a drop of Klipsun Cabernet for mid-palate appeal and a dash of Ciel du Cheval Petit Verdot for color and flower notes. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon (4% Klipsun), 16% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot (Ciel du Cheval). Aged in 84% new French oak barrels for 21 months, 156 cases + 6 bottles were bottled on 6/28/03. The Yakima Valley and particularly the vineyards north of Prosser are clearly cooler growing sites than those of Red Mountain. You will be very pleased to experience the contrast in style and terroir between our Ciel and Kestrel View Estates Vineyard wines. The Kestrel is distinctly less intense, softer and more supple with raspberries circling the rich vanilla that is a more forward expression of our French oak barrels. We like to say this wine is much more feminine in its mouth feel. But, gentlemen…this is not a wimpy wine!
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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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Petit Verdot:
Petite Verdot is one of the five noble Bordeaux varietals, essentially acting as the nuts and bolts in most Bordeaux blends. With intense color and racy flavors, this wine possesses elements of pencil shavings, dark fruit presentation and a subtle complexity, which can be appreciated by even the most discerning palate.
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