Requiem Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Columbia Valley, Washington

The 2022 vintage in the Columbia Valley was a bountiful one. The Pacific Northwest experienced a cool spring and summer which eased into a long, warm autumn. This allowed for extended hangtime and ripening, resulting in lovely, large berries and clusters without sacrificing flavor, nuance, and intensity. The 2022 Requiem is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, harvested from the first to the third week of October from two sub-AVAs in the Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, and the Rocks District in Milton-Freewater AVA . Horse Heaven Hills AVA – Vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills are on the south-facing slopes along the Columbia River. The river aids in moderating the extreme fluctuations that affect the Columbia Valley, making HHH less prone to frost. Intense wind is also significant, producing grapes with thicker skins and reduced fungal pressure. Rocks District – Milton Freewater AVA – This unique AVA is defined less by geographical boundaries than by its topography and soil (dark-colored basalt cobblestones). It is situated on an alluvial fan of the Walla Walla River, where the river exits the foothills of the Blue Mountains and enters the Walla Walla Valley. Winemaking: Varieties were fermented separately in oak vats, followed by malolactic conversion and aging in a barrel regimen of 85% French and 15% American oak. The barrels are 20% new, and the balance is second- and third-use. Elevage lasted 22 months before bottling.