- 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.
One of Washington’s most iconic vineyards, Klipsun sits above the Yakima River in the Red Mountain AVA. First planted in 1983, and now consisting of 120 planted acres, this vineyard is known for its rich, tannic grapes. Our rows are in Block 20, which was planted in 2001.
AWARDS
Wine & Spirits Magazine recently awarded 91 points and wrote: "This wine’s scents of cherry cola have a deep bottom note of tar and coffee. The flavors are firm and plummy, their cedary frame structured with a firm intensity: an honest expression of Klipsun in its concentration and grip."
Wine Enthusiast Magazine posted the following review on March 1, 2024:
"This is an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon with restrained alcohol, bouncy acidity and velvety tannins. Its silky texture frames blueberry sorbet and balsa wood flavors, along with a spicy note that makes your lips tingle as if they’ve been in contact with nutmeg. Bing cherry and cedar chest aromas are joined by a touch of bacon fat. So good. 92 pts”
Paul Gregutt, www.paulgwine.com and www.paulgregutt.substack.com, March 17, 2023:
"From a block nearing 20 years old, this is a well-built Red Mountain Cabernet with firm tannins, polished and just ripe enough, showcasing a core of cassis fruit. Vanilla and graphite highlights command attention as the wine trails out gracefully with strength and precision.”
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 - 95% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clone 8), 5% Merlot (Red Mountain AVA)
Winemaking – Grapes for this cab was harvested on October 9th and inoculated with BDX yeast on October 10th. During 16 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 French oak barrels (50% new) and was racked three times prior to bottling on August 5, 2022. The wine was not fined or filtered.
Cooperage – Orion (new), Quintessence (twice used)
Numbers - Alcohol 14.1%, pH 3.82