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Varietal Compostion
92% Cabernet Sauvignon; 8% Merlot
Vineyard Locations
Pepper Bridge Vineyard – Walla Walla –56%
Minnick Hills Vineyard – Walla Walla –44%
Barrel Aging
19 Months in 60% French; 30% American; and 10%
Hungarian oak barrels. (30% new oak).
Production Statistics
Harvest Date—October 6-8, 2003
Bottling Date—May 20, 2005
Release Date—May 2006
Sugar at Harvest—24.1 Brix
Wine Alcohol—13.7%
Wine Acidity—0.65 g/100ml
Wine pH—3.65
Case Production—605
Vintage Conditions
The winter in 2002/2003 was unseasonably warm and dry at Pepper Bridge and Minnick Hills Vineyards, resulting in an early April bud break for the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The warm spring encouraged growth and a perfect berry set. Summer was very hot, resulting in an early harvest with fruit that was high in sugar (24.1 Brix) and contained an excellent acid balance of 0.67 g/100ml after fermentation. The healthy and intense status of the fruit promises a spectacular future for this 2003 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
Vinification
The carefully selected hand picked grapes from the Vineyards were gently de-stemmed and crushed. The grapes were then fermented in small ½ ton open topped fermentation bins at an average must temperature of 88 °F for 9 days. Multiple yeasts were used at fermentation for added wine complexity. The grape must cap was punched down by hand several times a day. At dryness, the grape must was gently pressed into a settling tank for sediment settling. Next the wine was put directly into oak barrels where malolatic fermentation was completed. The wine received a total of 4 rackings during the nineteen months of barrel aging and was not filtered prior to bottling.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes
Fort Walla Walla Cellars 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is outstanding! The wine is dense and ruby-cherry in color. Its fruit is beautifully aromic and rich. Complex aromas of coffee, chocolate mocha, and dark cherry fruit with hints of maple syrup can be detected. The mild oak cooperage complements but doesn't overwhelm the fruit. It weaves a creamy vanilla note through the finish of this young and expressive wine. An outstanding vintage for anyone’s cellar!