Isenhower Cellars “i-Label” Cabernet Sauvignon
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The grapes for the Isenhower Cellars i-label Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced from experienced, established growers in Columbia Valley, namely Konnowac Vineyard, Wallula Vineyard, Phinny and Hill Vineyard.
- The vines benefitted from multiple silt loam soil types.
Variety: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Elaboration: Hand picked. Destemmed and must pumped to fermentation tanks. Fermented with organic yeasts (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Pichia Kluyveri) for 10 to 12 days before pressing. Malolactic fermentation was spontaneous. Aged in 100% used French Oak puncheons for 15 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes: Dark red hue. Deep aromas of black currant, bay leaf, baking spice, dried sage, and wet stones. Flavors of red/black currants, black plums, dried leafy spices, and rich youthful tannins and balancing acidity on the finish. The mouthfeel is tight, fresh, and has rich tannins. A lovely, focused, classically styled Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Isenhower Cellars was founded in 1999 by Denise and Brett Isenhower and was the 18th winery in the Walla Walla area. The Isenhower’s, both Pharmacists, chose to leave their Colorado surroundings and corporate healthcare to follow Brett’s dream of winemaking and Denise’s dream of moving back to Washington, where they first met. Today, Denise is the General Manager and Brett is the Winemaker. For Brett, Walla Walla was an easy choice because of its beauty and the wide-open, entrepreneurial nature of the wine industry there. Isenhower Cellars is one of the few medium-sized Washington wineries that is 100% husband and wife owned and operated.
The Isenhower’s built their winery in 2002 and opened the Woodinville tasting room in 2009. They source their grapes from experienced, established growers ranging from Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Walla Walla, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, and Oregon to the Wahluke Slope. These high-elevation farms produce beautiful juice from old vines all the way to experimental clones.
Isenhower Cellars and their growers follow a minimalist philosophy and more natural winemaking process, including low pesticides, light intervention and sustainable farming methods to achieve depth of character, lightness of touch, and an array of fresh, interesting wines.