Fort Walla Walla Cellars
  • 2008 Treaty (Bordeaux Style Blend)
  • 2007 Pepper Bridge Merlot
  • 2007 Reserve
  • 2007 Merlot
  • 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2007 Syrah

    • 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

    Accolades

    Wine Spectator Score—92

    Tight and focused, featuring juicy red berry and beet aromas and flavors that play against toasty spice and grilled meat character that swirls through the finish. Shows power and refinement. Drink now through 2015. 518 cases made. –HS

    Varietal Composition

    93% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5% Merlot; 2% Cab Franc..

    Vineyard Locations

    Pepper Bridge Vineyard, Walla Walla—–5%
    Les Collines & St. Clare Vineyards, Walla Walla––95%

    Barrel Aging

    19 Months in 35% French, 50% American, and 15%
    Eastern European oak barrels. (48% new oak).

    Production Statistics

    Harvest Date—October 24, 2007
    Bottling Date—May 19, 2009
    Release Date—December 2010
    Sugar at Harvest 24.9 Brix
    Wine Alcohol—13.9%
    Wine Acidity—0.62 g/100ml
    Wine pH—3.64
    Case Production—518

    Vintage Conditions

    The winter in 2006/2007 was warm and dry in the Walla Walla Valley, resulting in a mid April bud break. The warm spring encouraged growth and a perfect berry set. Summer was very hot, resulting in a harvest with fruit that was high in sugar (24.9 Brix) and contained an excellent acid balance of 0.62 g/100ml after fermentation. The intense status of the fruit promises a spectacular future for this 2007 Valley 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 87 °F for 10 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 lightly 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 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth and focused! The wine is elegant with savory plum and current fruit. A wonderful wine with beautiful and rich aromas of coffee, chocolate mocha, and a hint of vanilla. This is a wine with soft tannins that provides a soft lovely finish. The cooperage complements but doesn't overwhelm the fruit. An outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon for anyone's cellar!