98 Pt (WA) Small-Lot Washington Cab

SPECTACULAR SMALL-LOT CAB FROM WASHINGTON STATE

“The Red Mountain AVA in eastern Washington State has become known as a high-quality red wine production area. This is all due to the cataclysmic Missoula Floods that occurred roughly 15,000 years ago. The floods created a buildup of bedrock and soil, and along with volcanic eruptions from the Cascade Mountains adding layers of ash, they created a crazy mix of soils along the Red Mountain ridge, which is bad for growing almost anything, but happens to be perfect for growing high-quality wine grapes!

Upchurch Vineyard is located at the southern tip of the acclaimed Red Mountain AVA, where owner Chris Upchurch has been making wine for 30 years. Vineyard manager Dick Boushey, a legend in the area, has made an art form of creating a micro-vineyard that combines Red Mountain terroir with European 'small vine' methods and modern low-impact sustainable farming. The 98 point 2020 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain AVA has ' flavours of huckleberry, cassis, kirsch and thyme [which\ offer a bright balance to a rich mouthfeel, ample structure and a lengthy finish,' says Clive Pursehouse of Decanter. Wine Advocate's Anthony Mueller says this 'just might be the best vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon Upchurch Vineyard that I have tasted.' This is a small-lot production, and our price is only $69.99 per bottle if you purchase two or more. This is the best price in the country, so get it while it lasts!” – Glen Knight, The Wine House

98 Points: “The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Upchurch Vineyard is mostly clone 2 with clone 198. Blended with 9% Merlot, the wine opens to a fresh and opulent nose with a juicy frame that offers a dynamic, pure and focused expression with layers of complexity, healthy fruit and ripe oak tones that sing harmoniously in unison. Full-bodied, the palate is fresh, balanced and succulently ripe, with a balanced structure, juicy acidity and fine-grained tannins, offering tremendous pleasure and a food-friendly finish. Give it time. This might be the best vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon Upchurch Vineyard that I have tasted. The wine aged for 20 months in 90% new French oak barrels. Only 6,300 bottles were produced of this pure, layered and complex Cabernet. Drink Date 2024 - 2047” – Anthony Mueller, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (May 2023)

93 Points: “This Cabernet Sauvignon offers elegant aromas of rose petals, sage, orange rind and hints of dusty earth. The palate offers restraint but glimpses at the powerful wines that drew Upchurch to making Red Mountain Cabernet over 30 years ago. Flavours of huckleberry, cassis, kirsch and thyme offer a bright balance to a rich mouthfeel, ample structure and a lengthy finish. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2035” – Clive Pursehouse, Decanter (October 2022)

FROM THE WINERY

Upchurch Vineyard is an 18.5-acre site uniquely situated on a small plateau at the southern tip of the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. Established in 2007, Upchurch Vineyard is owned and operated by Winemaker, Chris Upchurch, and his wife, Thea Upchurch. Chris has been and continues to be the Founding Winemaker and Partner at DeLille Cellars. From its inception, the vineyard has been sustainably farmed and certified by L.I.V.E. It is also certified “salmon safe” to protect our watersheds.

Verifiable

From its inception in 2007, Upchurch Vineyard has been dedicated to sustainable farming. We are certified by L.I.V.E. (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) a non-profit organization that promotes and certifies sustainable vineyard practices.

We are also certified by Salmon-Safe. Important to the Northwest, Salmon Safe is an independent non-profit organization devoted to restoring agricultural and urban watersheds so that salmon can spawn and thrive.

Tasting Notes

The UV Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has elegant aromas of dark fruit, blueberries, bramble berries, and white flowers on the nose that continue into the glass followed by notes of toasty oak and sage. Deep, dark ruby in appearance. Great depth, with ripe, juicy tannins, and a plush mouthfeel. This is a complete wine, fully balanced, with good lift. Aged in 90% new French Oak barriques for 20 months.

90% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Merlot
Cases produced: 525