If there seems to be some stylistic inspiration provided by nearby Pepper Bridge Winery, that makes sense because Caprio Cellars owner/winemaker Dennis Murphy recently invested in the historic Walla Walla brand launched by Norm McKibben and Jean-François Pellet. However, Murphy owns both of the vineyards that factor into this Left Bank-Bordeaux blend from the fracture-basalt soils at Octave (55%) in the SeVein planting and the clay/loam of Eleanor (45%), the vines near his tasting room. While it’s 100% French oak, same as in his Eleanor programe, there’s a bit more new oak (55%) involved with this Sanitella, and Malbec (22%) comes in right alongside the Merlot (22%) and behind the Cabernet Sauvignon (50%). It’s a bright red featuring dusty blackberry and blueberry notes, a bit of savory akin to black olive, beveled tannins and richness of boysenberry acidity.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 104 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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