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Varietal Composition
93% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5% Merlot; 2% Cab Franc.
Vineyard Locations
Braden View Vineyard—Walla Walla –44%
Minnick Hills Vineyard—Walla Walla –56%
Barrel Aging
19 Months in 35% French; 50% American; and 15%
Eastern European oak barrels. (48% new oak).
Production Statistics
Harvest Date—October 21, 2005
Bottling Date—May 16, 2007
Release Date—September 2007
Sugar at Harvest—25.4 Brix
Wine Alcohol—14.3%
Wine Acidity—0.65 g/100ml
Wine pH—3.65
Case Production—462
Vintage Conditions
The winter in 2004/2005 was unseasonably warm and dry at Braden View (St. Claire) 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 (25.4 Brix) and contained an excellent acid balance of 0.65 g/100ml after fermentation. The healthy and intense status of the fruit promises a spectacular future for this 2005 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
Vinification
The carefully selected hand picked grapes from the two Walla Walla 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 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is wonderful! The wine is deep and concentrated yet elegant and stylish with dark ruby red fruit. The wines initial taste presents beautiful rich aromas of coffee, chocolate mocha, and dark cherry fruit with hints of vanilla. The wine has excellent structure, depth and balance that produces a long and pleasant finish. The three oak cooperage complements but doesn’t overwhelm the fruit. Another outstanding vintage for anyone’s cellar!