This vintage of Père de Famille is consistent with the past several years, heavy on Cabernet character, with Petit Verdot playing a key supporting role and a bit of Merlot adding fleshiness. There’s a notable development, however: an increase in the Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1973 block at Red Willow Vineyard. I love wines from older vines: there’s typically an added dimension from deeper roots, thick trunks and shy bearing buds. Among the oldest plantings in the state, this vineyard’s contribution brought additional richness and complexity to the blend, without added astringency. The 2009 is full blown, with a powerful aroma of black currants, plum and blackberry. Completing the aroma are scents of violet, smoke, rock and vanilla bean. Classic Cabernet structure is reflected in its firm grip of tannin, but there’s enough fruit density to make it lush and pliant. This is another vintage where it’s easy to use the word “complete” to describe the overall character of this Cabernet.

Blending Detail and Aging Profile

Blending Detail:

• 82% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 10% Petit Verdot
• 8% Merlot

AVA & Vineyard Detail:

• 66% Red Mountain
• 18% Horse Heaven Hills
• 16% Yakima Valley

Acclaim

Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “… 96 points.

… a fine impersonation of a classified growth Pauillac, it offers up a nose of sandalwood, Asian spices, incense, herbal notes, violets, black currants, and blackberry. This sets the stage for an already complex, elegant, smooth-textured, structured wine…”

Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar:  “… 93

points. Cassis, crushed blackberry and violet on the nose. Intensely flavored and juicy, with terrific cut and lift to the flavors of blackberry and licorice. Boasts plenty of acidity but there's nothing hard about this cabernet….”