2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, DuBrul Vineyard

Receive a 20% discount automatically with the purchase of a case (12 bottles). Receive a 10% discount when you purchase 6-11 bottles by entering the discount code BUY 6 at checkout. First planted in 1992 by Hugh and Kathy Shiels, DuBrul has become one of Washington's premier vineyards under their stewardship. The vineyard sits at an elevation range of approximately 1,000 to 1,300 feet on rocky, south facing slopes near the town of Outlook, WA. We first made Cabernet Sauvignon from DuBrul Vineyard in 2018 – a wine that ranked #11 on The Seattle Times list of Top 20 Northwest Wines of 2021. In 2022, we were able to gain access to fruit from DuBrul’s hillside vines planted in 1992. The resulting wines have been extraordinary and well worth the extra expense associated with these mature vines. AWARDS Northwest Wine Report, April 13, 2026 - 92 pts The editor wrote: “Fruit for this wine comes from one of the top sites in the Yakima Valley, known for its sophistication and structure. It was aged 23 months in new and neutral French oak. The aromas bring notes of milk chocolate, dried and fresh herb, flower, and cherry, showing appealing precision. The palate is graceful, with sneaky depth and intensity. There’s impressive freshness as well. Give it additional time in bottle or a long decant. " TECHNICAL NOTES Growing Season - The 2022 growing season in Washington was notable for a cool, wet spring, a hot, but brief, summer, and nearly-unprecedented warm finishing weather in late September and almost all of October. The season started out with a cold, wet winter, putting significant moisture into the soil. The cool, high soil moisture conditions, combined with the extremely small crop in 2021, contributed to a sizable crop in 2022. Growers spent significant time working to control vigor. Summer temperatures finally arrived after the third week of June. July and August had above average heat. However, the growing season was still two to three weeks behind recent years. In September ideal growing conditions settled in resulting in near-perfect finishing weather. Growers who managed to thin appropriately delivered exceptional flavors at lower Brix and higher natural acidity. 2022 is expected to be a very high-quality vintage for white wines and a standout vintage for higher end reds. (Summarized from reports by the Washington State Wine Commission.) Composition - 95% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clone 8), 3% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot Winemaking - Grapes for this cab were harvested on October 7th and inoculated with BDX and D80 yeasts on October 9th. During 15 days of primary fermentation the must was mixed twice a day by a combination of punch downs and pump overs. The must was then pressed and wine racked to tote. After settling, wine was racked to barrel where malolactic fermentation occurred. The wine aged for 23 months in new and neutral French oak barrels and was racked three times prior to bottling on September 25th, 2024. The wine was not fined or filtered. Tasting Notes - The 2022 DuBrul Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon presents a striking deep ruby color in the glass. With a modest decant, the wine reveals rich aromas of dark fruit, bramble, black licorice, and cherry wood, refined by subtle rose petal, baking spice, oak spice, and cold leather. On the palate, delicious black currant, blackberry, blueberry, and tart raspberry flavors are supported by integrated tannins and hints of roasted coffee beans and chocolate cherry cordial. A long and layered finish offers sweet cherry and citrus notes. Cooperage - Sylvain (new) and Quintessence (neutral) Numbers - Alcohol 14.5%, pH 3.66