Isenhower Cellars “i-Label” Last Straw Red
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Last Straw is a unique red wine blend comprised primarily of press wine.
- The grapes for the Isenhower Cellars i-label Last Straw Red were sourced from experienced, established growers in Columbia Valley, namely Wallula Vineyard, Weinbau Vineyard, Shaw Vineyard, RKP Vineyard, and Francisca‘s Vineyard.
- The vines benefit from multiple silt loam soil types at an average elevation of 732 – 1200 feet.
Variety: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 18% Malbec, 9% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 5% Sangiovese, 4% Merlot
Elaboration: Primarily press wine. The first press of the fermented grapes to 0.5 bar (7.2 psi) for the primary wine lots. Second, it is pressed to 0.8 bar (11.5 psi). This second press wine becomes the Last Straw. Aged in 100% used French oak barrels for 10 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache, Sangiovese, and Merlot. Organic and inorganic yeast nutrients, tartaric acid, and 35 mg/liter of Free SO2 at bottling.
Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Grenache grapes, organic yeast, organic and inorganic yeast nutrients, and 35 mg/liter of Free SO2 at bottling.
Tasting Notes: Dark red/black hue. Very fresh and dark red fruit aromas of cherry, pomegranate, and currant. The wine is tight and intensely flavored with reductive and smoky notes of graphite that extends the freshness. Flavors in the mouth have a tight core of red fruit and mirror the aromas with filling richness and beautiful balance of tannins and acidity.
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.