FROM THE WINERY:

“Acclaimed Napa Valley vintner Randy Dunn has a reputation for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. He brings more than four decades of winemaking experience to the Columbia Valley to produce Feather, his only wine made outside of California.

Tasting Notes:

Impressive depth and purity are displayed on a core of mocha-scented blackberry and ripe plum flavors woven with hints of rosemary and thyme. The wine’s refined tannins and an appealing earthiness provide rich texture and a lengthy finish.

Vintage:

A wet, cool spring delayed bud break in 2017, but temperatures warmed nicely later in the season for bloom. Despite warming again in July to drive total heat accumulation a bit above average for the season. Harvest began towards the end of August, then temperatures cooled considerably in mid-September to extend hang time and allow the grapes to reach full physiological maturity without spiking sugars. The resulting wines are rich and expressive, displaying excellent acidity and structure that is reflective of the quality of the vintage.

Winemaking:

Handpicked grapes were sorted, lightly crushed and fermented in small stainless steel tanks. Once fermentation was underway, the cap was pumped over aggressively to extract color and structure. As fermentation neared completion, pump overs were handled more gently to further extract color and delicate flavors without imparting harsh tannins. When ready for barrel, the wine aged 22 months in all French oak barrels, 90% new.

Vineyards:

Washington is a diverse growing region that offers a wide variety of fruit expression as showcased in this multi-layered wine. Walla Walla’s Summit View Vineyard gives the wine its beautiful color and intense mid-palate. Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet, northwest of Pasco, offers wonderful aromatics. Weinbau Vineyard, on the Wahluke Slope, is a warm site that yields dark fruit characteristics with plenty of structure and backbone. Finally, grapes from three top Horse Heaven Hills vineyards accentuate the varietal character and contribute to the wine’s silky texture.

Alcohol: 14.9%
pH: 3.93
TA: 0.51 grams /100ml
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Production: 3,212 cases”

Note: You might want to check out the “pro” scores on https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/long%20shadows%20wineries%20cabernet%20sauvignon%20feather/2017/usa/usd#t3 , or perhaps from vendors on https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/long%20shadows%20wineries%20cabernet%20sauvignon%20feather/2017/usa/usd

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