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Item Number: 7090
UPC: 0721354890047
Country: USA
Region: Washington
Sub Region: Columbia Valley
Appellation/AVA: Columbia Valley
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14.5
Total Acidity: 6.3
pH: 3.72
Case Production: 5,260
Vintage Notes: 2011 continued the cool year La Nina weather pattern experienced on the West coast the past two years. While this presented some viticultural challenges, by the end of harvest L'ecole had another promising quality vintage in hand.
Pre-mature low temperatures around Thanksgiving caused some bud and tissue damage in some vineyards, resulting in reduced harvest yields, in some vineyard sites. Total impact was minimal in most locations.
A cool and wet spring set the stage for a significantly later than normal bud break with bloom occurring in late June, early July. Near normal July and early August fruit development surged with warmer late August and early September weather during veraison. To ensure full ripeness, L'ecole aggressively crop thinned and opened canopies, knowing they had a cooler growing season on their hands.
A prolonged and typical October Indian summer stretched out the growing season, allowing them to reach full maturity at all vineyard sites.
Higher natural acidity, longer hang-time and concentrated fruit from low yields resulted in brilliant color, flavor intensity and overall balance.
Winemaking Notes: Each lot was hand harvested ripe and gently crushed into 1.5 and 5 ton stainless steel fermenters. Gentle handling of the fruit through hand punch downs and gravity assisted movements were utilized throughout the entire winemaking process. The wine was cleanly racked to 100% small oak barrels, 33% new, with five rackings over 22 months.
Tasting Notes: With its classic varietal Cabernet profile, this focused and integrated wine shows layers of dark fruit, coffee, earth and baking spice. Flavors of plum, blackberry and cassis mingle with dusty fine tannins through a long, expressive finish.
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