In the past, Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain factored into this blend inspired by Bordeaux’s Left Bank. For this bottle, Woodinville winemaker Mike Januik stayed on the east side of the Columbia River for all the fruit as Cab from venerable Sagemoor Vineyard dominates the melange that includes Merlot (17%) and Malbec (2%) off Novelty Hill’s estate planting at Stillwater Creek in the newly established Royal Slope American Viticultural Area. The oak profile, led by new French barrels, contributes to the hints of dark chocolate, cherry, blueberry and minerality. There’s tremendous texture to that dark blue fruit profile, offering pleasing grip for now and beyond.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 274 cases
Alcohol: 14.4%
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