2023 Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Vineyard Source: Our Dry Creek Mountain Vineyard lies between 400 to 600 feet in elevation on the eastern side of Bradford Mountain. This exposure prevents the vineyard from baking in the intense heat of the afternoon sun, rendering lower Brix and higher acid at maturity. The soil on the property is an iron-rich deep-red Boomer loam derived from metamorphosed basalt. Both Cabernet blocks were planted in 1994. Block 1 is clone 7 on 110R and block 6 is clone 337 on Saint George.

Vintage 2023: A wet winter followed by a cool spring and summer allowed clusters to size above expectations. Continued moderate temperatures in late summer and early fall resulted in slow ripening and a harvest that was a month later than 2022, with balanced acidity and fresh flavors. Unlike 2022, we had no heat waves, and even the exposed portion of the terraces remained unscathed by the sun. We harvested our two blocks of DCM Cab on the morning of October 30, at an average 23.8 o Brix.

Winemaking: The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were destemmed and partially crushed to stainless-steel fermentation tanks. At crush a non-saccharomyces yeast blend was added for cold soak; then, after warming, the grapes were inoculated with a selected saccharomyces strain. The fermenting must was drained and pressed while still sweet, to mitigate tannin extraction. The newly pressed wine remained in tank to finish fermentation and settle before barreling. The wine was aged in 31% new American oak barrels, custom coopered for us by Nadalie, for 16 months on lees.

Tasting Notes: This, our second vintage from our Dry Creek Mountain vineyard, is an exemplar of cool vintage tension. Aromas of licorice, nutmeg, blackberry, pomegranate, with just a hint of pepperwood, gather  slowly and then build into effusion. By mouth the notes of mulberry, sarsaparilla and black tea are delivered in a ride that is plush, elegant, and without a bump. (Tasted Dec 4, 2025)

 

Variety

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Vineyard Location

Chris Hanna’s Dry Creek Mountain Vineyard blocks 1 & 6

Harvest Date

October 30, 2023

Brix at Harvest Average: 23.8°

 

Alcohol 13.8%

pH 3.51

Titratable Acidity (TA) 0.66 g/100 mL

Residual Sugar 0.10%

 

Length/Type of Aging

16 months on lees in 60-gal oak barrels.

Oak Types

31% new custom American barrels from Nadalie

 

Bottling Date

July 31, 2025

Number of Cases 158

Vegan