Hogue Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 05
Winery: Hogue
The Hogue Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a classically structured Bordeaux-style wine with ripe tannins. Aromas of bright cherry and an undercurrent of earth are followed by flavors of intense berry and cherry, and a pleasant hint of forest floor. The touch of oak is well integrated and contributes notes of cedar, spice, and vanilla. This complex wine has good length and depth in the finish and a balanced palate that only great wines can achieve. - the winery
MORE INFORMATION
Previous Vintage Tasting Notes
An elegant well-structured wine with a ripe tannin structure. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, and black cherry, a touch of oak, and notes of mocha, chocolate, nutmeg, and clove. Pleasant hints of forest floor, with good length and depth in the finish.
Wine Spectator says of the 2001 vintage (6/04): "Rich and lithe, with a minty note weaving through the ripe currant and cherry flavors, which persist impressively with fine-grained tannins on the firm finish." H.S.
THE WINE
The Hogue 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a classically structured Bordeaux-style wine with
ripe tannins. Aromas of bright cherry and an undercurrent of earth are followed by flavors of intense
berry and cherry, and a pleasant hint of forest floor. The touch of oak is well integrated and
contributes notes of cedar, spice, and vanilla. This complex wine has good length and depth in the
finish and a balanced palate that only great wines can achieve.
VINTAGE AND VINEYARDS
The 2001 vintage temperatures were below average during spring and early summer. June was very
cool, with an average temperature of 80?F but the thermometers really spiked in August with an
average temperature of 90?F for the month. A summer drought provided an extra challenge for
water management. Ultimately, it turned out to be a rewarding vintage in both the vineyard and the
winery. Moderate crop loads ensured very good color and tannin development. For the third
consecutive year, the Desert Wind Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope supplied most of the Cabernet
Sauvignon. We started picking the early ripening variety Merlot on September 12, followed by the
Syrah on September 23, and we finished harvesting the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 7.
WINEMAKING NOTES
The grapes were destemmed and crushed, and the must fermented in stainless steel at around 90? F.
The wine was pressed when tannin and color extraction were in balance. After malolactic
fermentation, the wine aged for 27 months in new and one-year-old French oak barrels. After careful
evaluation of each barrel, the lots were blended so that the characteristics of each Reserve vineyard
came together into a complete and complex wine. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
