Columbia Winery 2018 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Franc

Washington’s original premium winery, Columbia Winery has been discovering and celebrating Washington wine for over 50 years. Winemaker Sean Hails blends classic traditions with innovative winemaking techniques to craft a distinct collection of Washington wines. Columbia Winery’s unrelenting curiosity and trailblazing heritage is reflected in the grape selection philosophy of premier vineyard sites within the Columbia Valley and its acclaimed AVAs, including Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley and Wahluke Slope. With a tasting room located just outside Seattle and a winery in Eastern Washington, Columbia Winery embodies Washington’s welcoming spirit, rich diversity and exceptional wines.

About the Wine: Our 2018 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Franc is rich and robust with medium weight tannins and balanced acidity. Notes of Bing cherry and ripe plum intertwine with subtle hints of dried sage, while wonderful oak notes of vanilla and spice tie this wine together. Our Cab Franc pairs well with a variety of foods from ribeye to mesquite smoked meats.

Viticulture Notes: In 2018, we continued sourcing grapes from our favorite block of Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Perched high on the crest of a hill overlooking the Columbia River, this block receives a steady onslaught of wind that stunts the vines and produces tiny berries with intense color and flavor. The fruit has helped us win awards year after year. We harvested this block of Cab Franc on October 5, which is 13 days earlier than the previous year. The spring of 2018 vintage was temperate, which led to normal budbreak. The temperatures never really spiked until July, allowing gradual ripening.

Winemaking Notes: We selectively harvested fruit for this wine and destemmed them in the vineyard. Fermentation occurred at a minimum of 85°F in small lot bins and stainless steel tanks. Some grapes were transferred into 1.5T small-lot, stainless steel bins at the vineyard site; the balance was moved to tanks. To optimize extraction of color and flavor, pump-overs and punch-downs were used during fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was completed to create a rounder mouthfeel and lower acidity. All lots were barrel aged in 225 and 265-liter barrels for 17 months in a combination of 88% French and 12% American oak barrels (69% new).

Varietal Content: 100% Cab Franc Appellation: Horse Heaven Hills AVA Alcohol Content: 14.7% Titratable Acidity: 6.2 g/L Residual Sugar: Dry pH: 3.72 Bottling Date: May 11, 2020 Cases: 704