The Vintage
2002 was particularly warm with an extended Indian summer, allowing the fruit here in the great Yakima Valley to develop deep, ripe fruit flavors. Better estates were rewarded with superb fruit, especially those who focus special attention on growing quality fruit, by keeping crop levels low and monitoring water to control growth and vigor of the vines.
The Grapes
Kestrel View Estate Vineyard is fortunate enough to have some of the oldest grape vines in the state. Our Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon blocks were lanted in 1972, making them 30 years old when the grapes for this wine were picked. At 30 years of age theses old vines have been through a lot, and are barely producing 2 tons per acre. We call vines like these self regulating. They require much less pruning, and thinning. Year after year they produce a modest crop of small berries with intense concentration.
The Winemaking
The grapes were hand picked at the peak of maturity, late in October. They were brought to the winery, hand sorted, crushed and destemmed into small open top fermenters, where they were punched down twice daily. After the initial fermentation the wine was pressed to small French Oak barrels where it matured for the next 20 months. Prior to bottling the finest barrels were selected, and only this wine was bottled as Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Wine
The color is an inky crimson-purple. In the aroma and on the palate there are multiple layers of ripe black cherries, blackberries, raspberries, plums, licorice, leather, spice, and toast running through the ample structure of this complex wine. There is a velvety texture that weaves its way from the first sip to the lingering finish. To me, this is an indicator of quality, and only found in the rarest of wines.
| PH | 3.44 |
| TA | 6.43 g/liter |
| ALC | 13.8% |
| RS | 1g/liter |
| Blend: | We call it 100% Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, but in fact there are a few Old Vine Malbec plants inter-planted with the Cabernet Sauvignon. We harvest everything together in a fieldblend. |
| Cases: | 311 |
| Release Date: | October 2005 |