1997 Cabernet Sauvignon
ESTATE GROWN - Columbia Valley

Accolades & Awards

  BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE   88 POINTS-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 88 POINTS-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (Mar 2000)
Winetoday.com   3-1/2 STARS.  Medium-bodied, medium complexity, and medium oak.  Dark ruby with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and cherry.  Fresh, succulent, and supple with black cherry, cherry, and herb flavors (February 2000).

Vintage
The 1997 growing season offered near ideal conditions, with a slightly warmer than average growing season and a long, mild fall. Our vineyard, located on a warm site along the Snake River, particularly benefited from this warm weather and produced exremely high quality red grapes in 1997. The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested from our estate vineyard on October 10 and 12.

Winemaking
We pressed our various lots after an eight to ten day maceration and racked the resulting wine to barrels. The wine was left in half French and half American barrels for eight months, then racked to 100% French oak for the last twelve months of aging. The French oak helps refine and adds elegance to the wine while the American oak adds spiciness. After aging, we tried blending different amounts of Merlot and determined an 8% addition would elevate our Cabernet Sauvignon to the level of complexity and spiciness desired.

Winemaker Notes
Lively nose with red currant, mint, and chocolate. The mouth is big and ripe, bursting with fruit and gently underlined by oak and spice. Our 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon is very focused and layered, offering a nice toasty aftertaste.

Wine Data
pH: 3.62    

TA: 0.62%    

Alcohol: 13.5%    

Production: 2,014 cases (750ml)

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GORDON BROTHERS FAMILY VINEYARDS
671 Levey Road, Pasco, WA 99301
PHONE: (509) 547-6331
FAX: (509) 547-6305
EMAIL: info@gordonwines.com
WEB: http://www.gordonwines.com

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