Item No. 0019100103518
Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

95
Jeb Dunnuck
94
Wine Advocate
93
Wine Enthusiast
$168.99
Availability:
  • Limited Quantity
    21 Available
Shipping not available to Ohio
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region
Washington
Sub-Appellation
Red Mountain
Alcohol
14%

Overview

In the spring of 2017, the Terlato family purchased the renowned Klipsun Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington State. Two years later, after significant investments in the property, they presented the inaugural vintage of Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet, under the newly created Klipsun brand. Planted in 1984, Klipsun Vineyards is known for its powerful and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Cabernet Sauvignon is very complex, with rich overtones of dark berry fruit and attractive mulberry and olallieberry aromas. The Merlot shows its characteristic bright fruit with a lovely, mouth filling mid-palate richness. We chose to blend in 4% Merlot this year, to balance the brightness of the Merlot with the berry fruit aromas of the Cabernet. We traditionally add some of Klipsun’s amazing Syrah to add spice and earthiness and 2018 was no exception. The 4% Syrah adds just the right amount of complexity and doesn’t get in the way of the beautiful Cabernet.

Aging

20 months in 100% new French oak, 14 months in bottle.

Fermentation

Small stainless steel tanks. Some with open tops to allow for punching down and others with a closed top that were pumped over.

Winemaker

Doug Fletcher

Tasting Notes

Style

Complex, Rich, Smooth, Structured

Flavor

Berry, Blackberry, Blend-Spices

Aroma

Fruit aroma of blackberry, mulberry and boysenberry, interlaced with a spicy oak note. As the wine ages in the bottle the oak & fruit aromas will meld into a complex medley of cedar and cigar box.

Taste

Fruit aroma of blackberry, mulberry and boysenberry, interlaced with a spicy oak note. As the wine ages in the bottle the oak & fruit aromas will meld into a complex medley of cedar and cigar box. Pleasant acidity and a rich, balanced mouthfeel followed by a well-developed mid palate. The result is a tannin structure that is evident but seamless. The finish is smooth and lingering.

Wine Ratings

94

Wine Advocate12/2021

Instantly impressive in the glass….Fresh, dark, juicy berry notions waft with a firm, generous nature with soft elements of black peppercorn and roasted plums. Full-bodied and with a complex, generous structure, the palette displays impeccable flavors of spiced plum compote, black cherry skin, blackberry jus and elements of crème de cassis and dried violets. The mid-palate gives way to a firm tannic structure that will need additional time in the bottle to settle but already shows great aging potential. Concluding with a long, lingering and evolving finish, persistent flavors of fresh, ripe blackberries remain on the palate with flavors of oak and maple with a subtle element of dried sage.

93

Wine Enthusiast12/2021

Fruit for this wine comes from one of the appellation's oldest and most venerated vineyards. The aromas of dark roasted coffee bean, black cherry, licorice and dried herbs draw you in. Velvety, juicy cherry flavors follow. It's a hammer in a velvet glove, a wine that wins on nuance and grace but with plenty of power behind it. Undeniable in appeal now, this is really meant for the cellar.

95

Jeb Dunnuck07/2022

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon comes all from the Klipsun Vineyard on Red Mountain and is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, and 4% Syrah that spent 20 months in new French oak. There are a little over 2,000 cases produced, and it sports a healthy purple/ruby hue to go with a killer bouquet of pure crème de cassis, lead pencil, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and hints of iron. Beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it has great tannins, impeccable balance, and a great finish. It needs to be forgotten for 2-4 years and will cruise for two decades after that from cold cellars.