2024 Fall Wine Club Selection

2020 Old Goat (224 cases)

• 56% Red Willow, 33% Elephant Mountain, 11% Ciel du Cheval
• 56% Cabernet Sauvignon/22% Merlot/11% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot
• 19 months in 89% New French Oak and 11% Neutral French Oak then blended and aged an additional 10 months in concrete tanks

The goal with the Old Goat is to craft the best wine we can with what the vintage gave us. It can be a blend of varieties and vineyards, whatever it needs to be. The composition will not always be the same every year but it will instead change and move with that vintage. This vintage I moved a bit further from Cabernet Sauvignon and leaned into other Bordeaux varietals a bit more. The goal with the concrete is to get the wine off of the wood and allow the components of the wine time to stew and come together before bottling.

James Suckling’s Tasting Notes:

“Generously fruity and handsomely spicy, this full-bodied wine wraps melted tannins around indulgent dried cherry, sweet plum, cinnamon, and cedar flavors. It’s big, broad, and easy to sip. Drink now or hold.”-93 points

2022 Two Blondes Cabernet Sauvignon (130 cases)

• 100% Two Blondes Vineyard
• 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 50% New French Oak and 50% Neutral French Oak

We have been working with Two Blondes vineyard for over ten vintages and each year we are reminded why we keep coming back. The aromatics and elegance of fruit is so special and highlights a unique component special to Cab Sauv from this vineyard in the upper valley of Yakima. The palate is soft and round with cherry and cinnamon notes.

Justin’s Tasting Notes:

On the nose: lavender, blueberry, leafy notes
On the palate: ripe huckleberry, herbal character, round tannins, light-to medium bodied with some weight

2022 Yakima Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (800 cases)

• 41% Elephant Mountain, 34% Red Willow, 19% Ciel du Cheval, 6% Two Blondes
• 85% Cabernet Sauvignon/15% Merlot
• 18 months in 41% Neutral French Oak and 59% New French Oak

The Yakima Valley has become our flagship wine and it defines our focus of crafting Cabernets from this place. It is a blend of 4 of our favorite vineyards located in the Yakima Valley; when blending these vineyards together I created a wine that is balanced, aromatic, full bodied and a great example of Cabernet grown here.

Justin’s Tasting Notes:

• On the nose: bright black cherry, cassis, slight oak
• On the palate: ripe huckleberry, herbal character, round tannins, light-to medium bodied with some weight.

2022 Ciel du Cheval Grenache (1 puncheon and 1 barrel)

• 100% Ciel du Cheval vineyard
• 100% Grenache
• 100% Neutral barrels

We work with Kade Casciato, the vineyard manager for Ciel du Cheval and every year we create a small quantity of wine from different varietals. In 2022 we had the fun opportunity to work with Grenache. This Grenache is perfumed and floral on the nose. Vibrant aromatics with only a small hint of spiciness from the dried stems. Elegant, granular and dry on the palate. Tannin from the stems beefs up the mid palate. Light and crisp with well moderated alcohol for Grenache. Best 2025-2028

Justin’s Tasting Notes:

• On the nose: spiciness, perfume, dried herbs
• On the palate: red raspberry, white pepper

2022 Cabernet Franc

• 42% Two Blondes, 42% Dineen, & 16% Elephant Mountain
• 84% Cabernet Franc & 14% Merlot
• 42% new French oak & 58% neutral French oak

I have been wanting to make a Cabernet Franc since 2012 and in 2022 I was able to source the fruit and craft a single varietal Cab Franc. I am so pleased with the final outcome. This wine is dark and concentrated color for a Cab Franc. The nose opens up with time and presents an interesting blend of fruit and herbaceousness mixed with leather, pipe tobacco, and chocolate. Medium bodied with a round mouthfeel and a surprisingly long and pronounced finish. Best 2026-2030

Justin’s Tasting Notes:

• On the nose: fruit, cigar spice, herbaceousness
• On the palate: leather, pipe tobacco, and chocolate

2023 Cecelia Bordeaux Blanc

• 55% Zirkle vineyard & 45% Two Blondes vineyard
• 55% Sauvignon Blanc & 45% Semillon
• Neutral French oak demi muid with weekly battonage

My wife Brooke and I visited New York a few years ago and enjoyed this incredible Bordeaux white wine. That wine has been on my mind for almost a decade and last harvest I was in a position to finally make this dream wine. Here is my Yakima Valley interpretation of an aged Bordeaux white. This wine has lemon and lime citrus notes. There is a pretty floral character as well. A slight fatness and creaminess on the palate from the extended lees contact. The wine is framed by bright acidity. Best 2024-2028

Justin’s Tasting Notes:

• On the nose: floral & lemon
• On the palate: citrus, bright acidity, and a creamy mouthfee