2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
The third release of Trothe’s flagship is now at 10 barrels of Clone 8 Cabernet selected from its older 98 and 03 Blocks. A streak of graphite cuts through the dark violet and ripe blackberry aromatics, the palate undeniably fresh despite the wine’s ripeness, grip and power. Tangy blackberry and cherry fruits mingle with cedar and pencil shavings. There is undeniable elegance in this wine made in a warm year that is delightful and, hopefully, instructive.
96 Points – Sean Sullivan's NW Wine Report
- 14.5%
- 5.8 G/L
- 3.76
- August 2022
- September 2023
Growing Season
The 2020 growing season was bookended by unseasonably cool weather. A late start to the vintage saw good fruit set, followed by an intensely hot summer that sped up phenolic and fruit ripening. Overall, an intriguing year for the vine—culminating in a cool close to the season with grapes yielding luxuriously elegant tannins, ripe flavors, and vibrant acidity.
Vineyard Details
In order to capture a balance of ripe fruit and fresh acidity, Trothe fruit was the first picked in most blocks.
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- CS98 (65%), CS03 (35%)
- Clone 8
- 10 Barrels
Block CS98
Planted 1998, 9x6 spacing, southern slope (20-25%), warm site, 990-1090 ft. elevation, Mikkalo and Warden silt loam soil
Block CS03
Planted 2003, 9x6 spacing, very slight southern slope, cool site, 980-1000 ft. elevation, Warden silt loam soil
Cellaring
This wine is elegantly balanced with polished tannins and fine acidity. The care we put into crafting and bottling our wines creates a fresh approachable experience when consumed young, while simultaneously containing the components necessary to develop deep complexity and integration with age.
Vinification
Vinification methods including concrete fermenters and extended skin contact were matched to the specifics of block and fruit characteristics. The result is a complex blend that accentuates the individuality of each block. The wine was aged over 23 months in 75% new French oak, followed by 13 months in bottle.
