Luke Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Wahluke Slope AVA, Washington

The LUKE Columbia Valley Reserve Tier of wines is a focus on specific vineyards within the Wahluke Slope and other AVA’s we are closely working with.  Isolating the best of the best fruit, fermenting natively, barrel aging in mostly new French oak ,and bottling the wines unfined and unfiltered will provide rich, powerful, yet elegant wines with tannins that are fine grained and flavors that linger.  These small production wines will highlight the greatness and unbound possibilities of the Wahluke Slope and the greater Columbia Valley AVA, the “fairy dust” of LUKE Columbia Valley.

Tasting Notes

Showcasing a deep, dark, almost opaque ruby/purple color, the 2019 reserve bursts from the glass with intense aromas of cassis/black currant, dark cherry and pressed herbs. Notes of blackberry preserves, grilled toast and baking spices are also evident in this excitingly complex wine. The palate is super approachable, albeit being young, but with just enough seriousness and structure to age 5-8 years in bottle. Broad shouldered and dense, the tannins are fine-grained and layered, highlighting the power and depth of this amazing vintage.

All fruit was hand harvested in late September to mid-October and processed quickly to retain cool temperatures and fruit freshness. Lightly crushed and fermented in a mix of stainless steel bins and barrel, time on skins averaged 16-18 days and with 50% going through fermentation spontaneously. Gently pressed, the wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels, all second fill for 20 months.

Vineyards: Weinbau Vineyard, Southwind

Varietals: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Malbec
Alc: 14.8%
pH: 3.82
TA: 5.2g/L
French Oak
257 cases produced

The LUKE Columbia Valley Reserve Tier of wines is a focus on specific vineyards within the Wahluke Slope and other AVA’s we are closely working with.  Isolating the best of the best fruit, fermenting natively, barrel aging in mostly new French oak ,and bottling the wines unfined and unfiltered will provide rich, powerful, yet elegant wines with tannins that are fine grained and flavors that linger.  These small production wines will highlight the greatness and unbound possibilities of the Wahluke Slope and the greater Columbia Valley AVA, the “fairy dust” of LUKE Columbia Valley.

Tasting Notes

LUKE Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve showcases a deep, dark, almost opaque ruby/purple color, the 2018 reserve bursts from the glass with intense aromas of cassis/black currant, dark cherry and pressed herbs. Notes of blackberry preserves, grilled toast and baking spices are also evident in this excitingly complex wine. The palate is super approachable, albeit being young, but with just enough seriousness and structure to age 5-8 years in bottle. Broad shouldered and dense, the tannins are fine-grained and layered, highlighting the power and depth of this amazing vintage.

All fruit was hand harvested in late September to mid-October and processed quickly to retain cool temperatures and fruit freshness. Lightly crushed and fermented in a mix of stainless steel bins and barrel, time on skins averaged 16-18 days and with 50% going through fermentation spontaneously. Gently pressed, the wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels, all second fill for 20 months.

Vineyards: Stone Tree Vineyard

Varietals: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Malbec 2% Petite Verdot 1% Merlot Alc: 14.8% pH: 3.68 TA: 5.6g/L French & American Oak 257 cases produced

  • 20220829

    90

    points

    James Suckling, August 2022

    "Aromas of black cherries, blackcurrants and dried herbs. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Ripe, straightforward and approachable. Drink now."

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  • 20220301

    93

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, March 2022

    "Cellar Selection. Most of the fruit for this wine comes from Weinbau Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. The aromas bring an intriguing mix of dark chocolate, cocoa, blackberry, cinnamon and licorice. The flavors erupt on the palate, showing density, depth, layering, and intensity. It's hedonistic but also shows proportion and balance and never gets overweighted. It hangs on the lingering finish. It will have a long life ahead of it."

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  • 2021-07-05

    91

    points

    James Suckling, July 2021

    "Blackcurrant, mulberry, incense, sweet tobacco and sandalwood on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Vibrant and textured on the palate. Structured and grippy with a polished finish. A blend of 91% cabernet sauvignon, 6% malbec, 2% petit verdot and 1% merlot. Try from 2022."

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  • 2020-12-01

    93

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, December 2020

    "Cellar Selection. Highly regarded StoneTree Vineyard is the dominant fruit source for this wine. Coffee, dried herb and black-cherry aromas lead to a palate that brings a whole lot of seriousness to it. It's rich and dense, full of tannic heft. Give it time to stretch its legs—and drink it at a cool temperature—to see it at its best. Best after 2025."

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  • 2020-12-01

    90+

    points

    Vinous, December 2020

    "Bright medium ruby. More oaky on the nose than the entry-level Cabernet, with chocolate mint and brown spice aromas currently overshadowing cassis and blackberry fruit notes; this struck me as a bit Napa-like. Plush, ripe and spicy on the palate, showing lovely sweetness but also considerable restraint and nicely integrated acidity. Finishes with very good length, the serious, building tannins reaching the front teeth. This will need a year or two to absorb its oak and reveal its inherent strong material, but I'm not sure that it's better than the basic Cabernet, which is a bit juicier, not to mention an excellent value."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

Luke Columbia Valley – 2024 Wine Enthusiast Scores – Sell Sheet

Luke Columbia Valley – 2023 Wine Enthusiast Scores – Sales Sheet

2019 Luke Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – 93 pts, Wine Enthusiast – Shelftalker

2019 Luke Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – Tasting Note

2018 Luke Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – Tasting Note

Luke Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – Bottle

Luke Columbia Valley v18 & v19 Wine Enthusiast Ratings 11-2020 – Sell Sheet