2021 New World (Fanfare Club Exclusive)
Summit View Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ∞ Walla Walla Valley AVA
ONLY available to members of Fanfare Club.
ONLY 59 cases produced. $68
In 2021 we once again sourced Cabernet Sauvignon from our long-standing Syrah grower, Summit View Vineyard in Milton-Freewater, OR. This silky, lower tannin Cab for Pinot lovers pays tribute to Antonin Dvořák’s “New World Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95.” We make this silky Cab for Pinot lovers following the same methodology as our Pinot noirs, yielding a wine that is lighter on the palate with vibrant fruit and soft tannins. Aged 12 months in French oak.
The Vineyard
Because the Willamette Valley’s growing season and weather aren’t favorable for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, we turned to Summit View Vineyard in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, in 2020 for our inaugural New World vintage. Planted in 2009 by Tom Waliser, Summit View Vineyard in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, sits at one of the highest elevations in the area: 1,150 feet. That — in conjunction with its well-drained, glacial, Ellisford Silt Loam soil — produces full-bodied fruit with supple flavors and lively acidity.
The Weather
Both temperatures and rainfall at this site are very consistent, with annual growing degree days for the site averaging between 3,000-3,300, and annual precipitation averaging 6-8 inches.
The Reviews
Cori Solomon, The Written Palette | One of my all-time favorite Cabernet Sauvignons due to the technique of making a silky Cab for Pinot lovers. The Specters follow a similar approach as they do with Pinot Noir. The wine is lighter on the palate, with bright fruit and soft tannins.
Nathan & Courtney Marton, Winery Reflections | Intriguingly concentrated yet elegant undulations of freshly-picked blueberry, wild blackberry, dark cherry preserves, and licorice lead a deep yet strikingly ethereal display brilliantly lifted by fragrant floral tones of rose and blooming violet. Hints of toasted poblano pepper, tobacco, and pine resin gently reveal seductive herbal streaks interlaced with distinctly pretty baking spices of vanilla, nutmeg, and clove. Notes of graphite and crushed rocks expose beautiful underlying earthiness while delicate impressions of espresso and bittersweet chocolate impart a subtle kiss of opulence. Impressively pure, balanced, and restrained on the palate with outstanding complexity present alongside uncommon softness and approachability; exhibiting a unique and highly characterful presentation that boasts an attractively silky texture and layer after layer of captivating depth. Medium bodied with moderate tannin backed by fresh acidity. This leaps from the glass with aromatic blue and black fruits complimented by lifted floral character, delicate baking spices, clean herbs, complex earthiness, and understated coffee-led richness. It is absolutely sublime at its current stage yet also promises many decades of positive development ahead of it, and is sure to impress those who prioritize balance over brawn. Wow.
TECHNICAL NOTES