During his 17 years at Hogue Cellars, UC-Davis grad Co Dinn became familiar with most of the growers in Washington state, and Art den Hoed ranks as among the most talented and colorful. His Painted Hills site near Mabton, Wash., established in 2008, attracted attention earlier this year for Tempranillo, but the majority of the vineyard along the north slope below the Horse Heaven Hills is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, with the focus on clones 6, 8 and 191. Its warm location afforded Dinn a September harvest for Cab and produced aromas of dark purple fruit, cocoa powder, sweet pipe tobacco, mint and savory black olive. Inside, it is brimming with sweet dark fruit flavors akin to black cherry and Marionberry, and the medium structure is smooth, juicy, balanced and approachable. Dinn suggestes serving this with Pan-fried Flank Steak with Mushroom Ragout.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 196 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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