Ste. Chapelle 2012 Panoramic Idaho Cabernet Sauvignon, Snake River Valley, $25
Idaho’s largest winery recently developed this special series that focuses on the work of longtime viticulturalist Dale Jeffers with Sawtooth and Skyline vineyards — the largest and most important sites in the Gem State. In some years, it’s a struggle to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon, but the stellar 2012 vintage throughout the Pacific Northwest made that less worrisome, and this wine reflects that, starting with the nose of cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, granite dust and a trail of smoke. There’s more dustiness among the dark fruit flavors of black cherry, black currant and blackberry, backed by delicious chocolaty tannins and elderberry acidity. Ask for these wines at the Ste. Chapelle tasting room in the Sunnyslope Wine District.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 179 cases
Alcohol: 13.8%
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