2020 The Outlaw, Lot 20, 750ml
83% Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, WA
17% Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, WA
This Cabernet Sauvignon is an exceptional representation of the bold and rich style that is characteristic of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot, this wine boasts a complex and inviting bouquet of ripe dark cherry, blueberry, and boysenberry fruit, intermingled with subtle scents of currents, dark chocolate, and toasty oak.
On the palate, this wine continues to impress, with flavors of dark berry fruit that are complemented by hints of chocolate and vanilla. This wine is rich and smooth, with a full-bodied mouthfeel that is beautifully balanced by a touch of acidity. The wine finishes long, leaving a lasting impression of depth and complexity.
Aged for 20 months in 60% new French & American oak, this Cabernet Sauvignon showcases an exceptional integration of oak that enhances the wine's structure and complexity, without overpowering its natural boldness. The result is a wine that is both powerful and elegant, offering an beautiful representation of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
Overall, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a remarkable wine that showcases the full potential of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. With its bold flavors, rich mouthfeel, and long finish, it is a wine that will appeal to connoisseurs and casual wine drinkers alike.
Vineyard Terroir – Horse Heaven Hills
The sun, soil, slope, wind and water make this spot unique as a growing area for wine grapes. The Horse Heaven Hills American Viticulture Area is in Southeastern Washington, and is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA. The HHH AVA borders the Yakima Valley AVA on the North and the Columbia River on the South. Elevation in this AVA ranges from 200 feet above sea level in the South to 1,800 feet above sea level at the Northern boundary. Destiny Ridge Vineyard sits at 850 feet above sea level.
The grapes planted in the South-facing slopes of the HHH benefit from strong winds that arrive from the West via the Columbia River Gorge. The wind reduces the likelihood of rot and fungal diseases taking hold and the slope combines with the wind to keep frost at bay. It enjoys very hot days and much cooler nights (diurnal shift), that gives the fruit, intense fruitiness and bright but balanced acidity.
This site enjoys five unique topography areas within the vineyard alone. This includes clay, limestone, schist (medium sized mineral rocks), and gravel along with sandy top soils. Because the HHH has a rainfall of only 6-8 inches per year (dry as the Gobi Desert), they irrigate from the Columbia River bringing water to the barren hillsides.
All of these components help to cultivate amazing fruit that is balanced, complex, and a unique sense of place.
