Double Canyon Introduces Inaugural Release Of Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

09 Jul 2014 --- Double Canyon, a limited-production luxury winery in the Horse Heaven Hills region in Washington, announces the inaugural release of Double Canyon Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon.

Releasing in select markets this month with the 2012 vintage, this wine is blended from well-known vineyards throughout Horse Heaven Hills to capture the character of the distinctive, windswept desert region from which it comes.

"This wine is a unique expression of this special place," said Winemaker Jason Ledbetter. "Horse Heaven Hills is rapidly emerging as a leading area for producing Washington Cabernet.  Classic wines from this appellation are lauded for their exceptional balance and acidity, and this wine is no exception."

The inaugural release of the Double Canyon Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet is blended from several prestigious vineyards throughout Horse Heaven Hills that Vineyard Manager Will Beightol has worked with extensively and knows well.  Nearly a quarter of the blend comes from the winery's estate Double Canyon Vineyard, with the remainder sourced from Phinny Hill Vineyard, which is located across from Double Canyon and owned by Beightol's family, and Zephyr Ridge, which Beightol previously managed.

"By sourcing fruit from some of the region's preeminent vineyards, along with our own estate vineyard, we have the opportunity to capture the classic characteristics that make this appellation so special," said Beightol.  "What I love about working with these vineyards is that the wine in the bottle reflects the choices you make in the vineyard each vintage."

The inaugural release of this wine is characterized by rich floral aromas, followed by a smooth and luscious palate offering flavors of red plum and cherry, and balanced by a mouthwatering acidity.  This classic Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet is accented by 13 percent Syrah and a small percentage of Malbec to lend structure and complexity to the blend.  The 2012 Double Canyon Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon retails for $25 per bottle.  Only 700 cases were produced.

Named for the two ravines that run through it, Double Canyon Vineyard was established in 2007 with the goal of creating authentic, limited-production wines to express the individuality of this special winegrowing region.  Located in the heart of Horse Heaven Hills and situated adjacent to the renowned Champoux Vineyard, Double Canyon yields exceptional, high-quality fruit that produces wines with great individual character highlighted by nuances unique to the site.  Double Canyon debuted the inaugural wine from this vineyard, the 2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, in select markets last year.

The Double Canyon property was acquired by Crimson Wine Group in 2005.  The land was previously owned by the Mercer family, the pioneering winegrowers of the appellation.