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2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Only five barrels of 2018 were made for the brand’s inaugural release. Opting for a style that accents fresh and savory rather than ripe opulence, aromatics of smoke mingle with dried violets and hints of darker blue-fruit elements of boysenberry and blackberry. The palate is lush yet lively and fresh. Flavors of coffee beans, dried thyme and sage give way to a plush core of fresh blue and red fruits; pomegranate, mountain huckleberry and crushed stone lead into a finish that delivers fresh minerality.

95 points – Decanter

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 14.5%
  • 6 g/L
  • 3.74
  • 2020
  • 2021
Growing Season

An unusually warm May helped overcome a cooler start to the vintage and transitioned to perfect fruit-set weather. A long, hot summer was marked by minimal rain, leading to medium berry sizes with fully developed fruit sugars and rich, concentrated tannins.

“This is pure Cabernet Sauvignon. The concentration and expansive fruit aromas are layered onto a palate of amazing depth and richness. Tannins are fine, plush, and fill the mouth completely.”
Raymon Mckee, Winemaker
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 (67%), CS03 (17%), CS01 (16%)
  • Clone 8
  • 5 Barrels

Block CS98

Planted 1998, 9x6 spacing, southern slope (20-25%), warm site, 990-1090 ft. elevation, Mikkalo and Warden silt loam soil

Block CS01

Planted in 2001, 9x6 spacing, subtle southern slope, very warm site, 999-1040 ft. elevation, 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

The wine is vibrant, accessible, and drinks well now. It will continue to show deeper integration and complexity over the next 10 years—or more.

Vinification

The 2018 Trothe Cabernet Sauvignon was vinified using several different methods, each matched to the specifics of the blocks and fruit characteristics. The result is a complex blend that accentuates the individuality of each block. The wine was aged over 22 months in 83% new French oak, followed by 13 months in bottle.