2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes

2012 was simply a classic Washington vintage. The weather was perfect from bud break to harvest and was a welcome change from the abnormal seasons of ’09, ’10, and ’11. The 2012 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon is my favorite effort to date. I feel the wine is even more complete than my previous favorite, the 2008. The wine has intensely dark color. The nose displays an interesting combination of black and blue fruit sauté, crème cassis, and mixed floral notes paired with crushed fir needles, market spice tea, and cedar shavings. From the first sip the wine is smooth, broad in its palate impression, rich and sweet. There is an almost unexplainable deliciousness factor that I find irresistible. The tannins are impeccably integrated, long, and soft with just enough heft to give the wine a solid backbone and fantastic aging potential. This wine is approachable enough to enjoy immediately, but will reward 5-20 years of aging for the patient.

Vintage Notes

The 2012 growing season in Walla Walla was more in line with a “classic” Walla Walla season, beginning with normal bud break and bloom times, punctuated by normal shots of spring rain. The summer was just glorious, staying fairly consistent with daytime temperatures in the upper 80’s and low 90’s paired with dependably cool nights. We recorded thirteen straight weeks without a single drop of rain! Harvest began on September 21st with McQueen Merlot, and ended on Oct 19th with the last of the Petit Verdot. This vintage reminded me of 2008 as the wines are dark, fruit saturated, and aromatic.

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I love it when a plan comes together! The 2012 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon is approximately 60% estate-grown. We had high hopes for McQueen Vineyard when we planted way back in 2007. It is now showing the structure and balance we hoped for and makes up almost 40% of the final blend. Our beloved Bob Healy Vineyard is living up to its illustrious name as well. The fruit from “The Bob” rounds out the mid-palate of the blend and balances magically with the tannic structure and acidity from McQueen. The balance and integrated tannins in the 2012 make it quite enjoyable in its youth. It will however reward those who are patient enough to cellar the wine.
– Note from Drew

Technical Notes