- Receive a 20% discount automatically with the purchase of a case (12 bottles).
- Receive a 10% discount when you purchase 6-11 bottles by entering the discount code BUY 6 at checkout.
“su_m” refers to an email address Su uses. We made this Cabernet Sauvignon in the more fruit-forward, slightly less tannic style that Su prefers. It’s her wine, so to speak. It comes from grapes grown in Block 45 of Les Collines Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA. In French the term “Les Collines” translates to “the hills” and, accordingly, this vineyard sits in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Due to its elevation, Les Collines has one of the longest growing seasons in the Columbia Valley. This extended season ensures that the grapes have the best opportunity to reach full physiological ripeness.
AWARDS
Wine Enthusiast Magazine posted the following review on March 1, 2024:
"This medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon captivates with its aromas of sweet blackberries, grilled portabellos, fresh rose petals and a vanilla bean scone. The wine’s blackberry and black current flavors blend with touches of thyme, clove and dark chocolate, all backed by muscular tannins. 91 pts”
Paul Gregutt, www.paulgwine.com and www.paulgregutt.substack.com, March 17, 2023. Comparing the su_m Cab to our 2019 Cab from Les Collines Vineyard, Paul Gregutt wrote:
"Side by side with the 2019 this is tighter, more focused, with pinpoint highlights of cassis, graphite and licorice. It’s a big step forward from the excellent 2019 with well-managed tannins that guide the finish, leaving with hints of cut tobacco. The tight focus and persistence suggest this will cellar especially well.”
TECHNICAL NOTES
Growing Season - 2020 was a relatively warm year for Washington with a significantly smaller crop than average. Bud break began in mid-April. Late July and early August saw some heat spikes, but, overall, it was a fairly moderate, even summer. Significant wildfire smoke came in during the second week of September that stalled sugar accumulation and pushed harvest for some varieties into cooler parts of September and October. Temperatures were above average during October before a freeze event on the 25th brought the growing season to a close in most locations. Overall, yield was down substantially in 2020. While the crop was smaller, the combination of smaller berries and extended hang time is traditionally a recipe for high quality wines in Washington. Growers and winemakers were excited with the result, noting the dark color of the reds. (Summarized from reports by the Washington State Wine Commission.)
Composition - 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clone 8)
Winemaking – Grapes for this cab were harvested on October 10th and inoculated with D80 and BDX yeasts on October 11th. During 15 days of primary fermentation the must was punched down twice daily. The must was then pressed and wine racked to tote. After settling, wine was racked to barrel where malolactic fermentation occurred. The wine aged for 22 months in neutral oak barrels and was racked three times prior to bottling on August 5, 2022. The wine was not fined or filtered.
Cooperage – The Oak Cooperage (neutral)
Numbers - Alcohol 14.4%, pH 3.7