| |
| |
Cave B Wines
A Natural Philosophy
The winemaking philosophy shared by the winemaker is one of natural, minimal-interventionist production. Cave B and SageCliffe wines are made without the use of enzymes, and no addition of sugar (chaptalization) or acid (acidulation) is ever employed in the winemaking process. The wines are made from only the grapes themselves, along with yeast cultures and nutrients. The purity of the wine produced is the winery's hallmark and it is precisely this element which maximizes the expression of the SageCliffe terroir.
Cave B Estate Winery bottles its wine under two premium labels: CAVE B and SAGECLIFFE. The grapes for each are cultivated in the 30 Cave B Estate Vineyards, yet through careful grape selection and specialized winemaking techniques, the same varietals are made uniquely distinct, common only in their award-winning character.
They are distinct in one other characteristic as well: a portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold of the SageCliffe wines goes directly to the SageCliffe Foundation, established by the Bryan family to help bring the SageCliffe vision to life for everyone.
Click Here to visit the Cave B Online Store
States where our wines can be shipped (PDF)
|
|
| |
| |
 2006 Cave B Barbera
Vintage: 2006
Released: December 2007
Production: 95 cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
The Italian variety Barbera is rare in Washington, and our first release of the variety is present in only 95 cases of 2006 Cave B Barbera. These young vines produce ample clusters of large, nearly black grapes harvested from three distinct vineyards on the property. A discreet, supplemental proportion of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon was used to afford the wine broadness of fruit flavors and a complexity. The wine responded enormously well after its marriage to the well-known duo from Bordeaux. While creative blending was permitted, no new oak was allowed. The result is pure Barbera, aided in a small way by some vinous companions.
Bright, berry fruit accompanied by a great natural acidity is perfectly presented here, and it is devoid of any coarse levels of tannin. Look forward to its excellent cellaring potential. With a beguiling aroma and an inherent softness, this Barbera will have a very versatile capability of complementing many dishes. From fowl to veal to fish, this Barbera will go with the dish!
|
|
| |
 2007 Cave B Blanc de Blanc - Sparkling Wine
Vintage: 2007
Released: April 2008
Production: 265 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
Harvest: Sept. 7th.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: Méthode Champenoise
The creamy mousse and tight bubbles on our 2007 Blanc de Blanc are the first indications that this wine was made in the traditional Méthode Champenoise. The nose on this sparkler offers crisp odours of green apple, honeydew melon, and clover honey that lead you into hints of tangerine and grapefruit. That green apple greets you once again on the palate along with hints of yeast and fresh dough that are brought forth in the creamy texture and mouth feel of this elegant sparkling wine.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2004 Cave B Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2004
Released: March, 2008
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
Our 2004 Reserve Cabernet packs a lot of power and complexity into a wine made up of only two varietals. Aromas of candied quince introduce this wine while notes of anise, tobacco, and vanilla finish the nose with a hint of boxwood. The well-rounded palate has plenty of structure that makes this wine reminiscent of an old world classic. The oak is evident on the palate with hints smoky Porcini mushrooms, while flavours of fig conserve lead you into the complex finish filled with coffee, caramel and baking cocoa. Although this wine is ready to drink now, 2-3 years of ageing will turn this wine into a real gem in your cellar.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2004 Cave B Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2004
Released: February 2008
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Awards: Bronze Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
Winemaker's Notes:
The 2004 Cave B Cabernet does not fail to hit the mark for classic Cabernet Character. This wonderfully balanced wine introduces itself with a rich aroma of dried plums, then smoothly leads you into earthy notes of cedar box and tea leaves, the complex bouquet finishes with delicate nuances of macerated black currants, lingonberry jam and pomegranate. On the palate you will experience flavors of ripe plums, Maron Glace’ (the candied chestnuts found in Northern Italy), dates, and sweet tobacco with hints of toasted walnuts and dark chocolate on the finish. The rich tannins with finely balanced acid will lend this wine a long cellar life.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
2004 SageCliffe Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2004
Released: July 2007
Production: 480 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
Introduced by room-filling aromas of dark fruit, this Cabernet Sauvignon echoes red raspberry and black cherry in a way that makes it very unique for a Cabernet-based wine. Tobacco leaf and a dark chocolate finish make it a very enjoyable wine. This wine benefits fully from a 15% proportion of Merlot.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2006 Cave B Chardonnay
Vintage: 2006
Released: March 2008
Production: 367 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyard
Awards: Bronze Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
Winemaker's Notes:
This 2006 vintage of Cave B Chardonnay is quite expressive of what Cave B fruit is all about. The Calcium rich soil where this Chardonnay grows is evident in the minerality encountered as part of this complex wine. The fruit abounds in the nose with the sweet smell of apricot and pineapple followed by delicate nuances of vanilla and Meyer Lemon. The rich palate leaves impressions of bananas then brings back that intense pineapple that first greeted you in the aroma. The 20% new American Oak places its stamp on this wine with beautifully integrated flavours of toasty butterscotch on the long finish.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2007 SageCliffe 100 Chardonnay
Vintage: 2007
Released: March 2008
Production: 425 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyard
Winemaker's Notes:
For our 2007 vintage we created a wine that deviates from our traditional barrel fermented and aged Chardonnay. We certainly found what we were looking for in making this lighter white wine with delicate fruit aromas, bright crisp acidity, and zero oak.
SageCliffe 100 initially greets you with intense aromas of Pineapple and Mango, then smoothly unwinds with delicate nuances of more tropical fruit like Banana, and Guava. This wine continues to impress with the first taste as it dances across your palate you will discover flavours of baked Granny Smith apples, Starfruit, and Crenshaw Melon. With a kiss of residual sugar (less than one percent) to balance the acidity this is a great wine to enjoy with light seafood and vegetable dishes, or as a refreshing summer sipping wine
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2004 Cave B Cuvée du Soleil
SOLD OUT
Vintage: 2004
Release Date: June 2007
Production: 240 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
This ten-barrel, three-variety cuvée is a true Bordeaux-styled blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The barrels were selected for individuality and Bordeaux-like character, and it represents one of the finest offering from Cave B. The wine opens up with room-filling aromas of violet, licorice, black cherry, saddle leather, cedar cigar box and pencil lead. Intense cherry on the palate is enveloped around a complex of cassis, baking cocoa and discreet earthy nuances. A complete wine of ample acidity and structure, it will reward proper cellaring for up to eight to ten years beyond its vintage date. The impatient will find it quite approachable now, especially if decanted.
Advance Review From WinePress Northwest, Spring 2007:
"Excellent. Rusty Figgins ... turned the blend of Merlot (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) and Cabernet Franc (20%) into a black beauty with sweet blackberries, plum jam, citrus and cedar aromas. Spicy black currants and cherries await with milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate, adding texture to the mid-palate. Good acidity, leather and black tea notes give this pleasing extension. Suggested life is 8 to 10 years. Decant if unwilling to wait until 2008."
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2007 Cave B Gewurztraminer
Vintage: 2007
Released: March 2008
Production: 130 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
Lychee, Lychee, Lychee, for those of you that have never had the good fortune of tasting or smelling Lychee Fruit don't fret. You need only approach our 2007 Cave B Gewürztraminer and you will know what you have been missing. Once you get passed the room filling aroma of Lychee more tropical fruit notes of mango and papaya arrive on the scene. Along with Lychee (of course) the complex palate commences with a hearty flavour of apricot jam gently leading into the earthy sweetness of jícama ending with a gentle nuance of lemon zest.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2004 Cave B Merlot
Vintage: 2004
Released: February 2008
Production: 485 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Awards: Bronze Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
Winemaker's Notes:
In this new vintage of Cave B Merlot we have produced another example of a richly complex Washington Merlot. With initial aromas of pencil lead and cedar the bouquet continues with notes of hibiscus flower, Bing cherries, and vanilla, culminating in earthy nuances of leather. On the palate, raspberry jam is the first flavour you will encounter. The bevy of flavours progresses to reveal pomegranate, dried plums, fig, fresh cranberry sauce infused with hints of nutmeg capped off with lingering hints of toasted oak. The smoothly integrated tannin structure should lend this wine a long cellar life.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2003 Cave B Reserve Merlot - SOLD OUT
Vintage: 2003
Released: June 2007
Production: 109 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
Only four barrels were selected for the creation of this blend, which were kept behind to age for a full 36 months in the barrel cave. With a heavy helping of tobacco, wild cherry, English toffee flavors and cedar cigar box and Red Vines® confection aromas, the Reserve Merlot is complex and densely structured. It is ameliorated and softened by a perfect ten-percent proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is Cave B's second Merlot to have a 'reserve' designation, a mark for wines of our highest quality and longevity. Of huge proportions and fully conditioned for long life, it shall continue to build upon its formidable goodness for eight to ten years beyond its vintage date, while it ages in your cellar.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2004 SageCliffe Merlot
Vintage: 2004
Released: May 2007
Production: 493 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
2004 SageCliffe Merlot
The voluminous nose that introduces the 2004 SageCliffe Merlot holds generous aromas of vanilla, baking cocoa and cedar. This Merlot has the classic dried cherry associated with the variety, enveloped by a complex range of black currant, pomegranate and cranberry flavors. It is nicely spiced by the influence of oak, and most notably present is vanilla bean and dried oregano. The 2004 SageCliffe Merlot can be characterized as having moderated tannin and its softness belies its youth.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Vintage: 2005
Released: March 2008
Production: 889 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Awards: Bronze Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
Winemaker's Notes: The 2005 SageCliffe 100 Red Wine presents itself with authority. Its deep rich colour gives you the first glimpse of what is to come. The complex bouquet commences with an aroma akin to chocolate covered cherries. As the wine unfolds it reveals its complexity with hints of red licorice, ripe mission figs, anise, leather and delicate oak aromas that are more reminiscent of toasted nuts than toasted oak. Upon tasting the wine you will encounter notes of cedar, and dried bing cherries, with undertones of sweet tobacco, and Black berry Jam, finally flavours of toasted almond toffee linger on the palate. Enjoy this wine with Grilled meats, or game. Although it is ready to drink now the well integrated, silky tannins should allow for a long cellar life.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2007 Cave B Riesling
Vintage: 2007
Released: March 2008
Production: 247 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
Pineapple and Star Fruit lead the way into this wine while not far behind you will run into familiar aromas of Granny Smith apples and Honeydew melon. With 2% residual
sugar and a bright crisp acidity there is more fresh fruit on the way with big flavours of Asian pear and nectarines that finish with a lingering essence of sweet grapefruit. Although this is a German wine it will pair beautifully with spicy Thai or Mexican fare as the sweet acidity of the wine cuts right through the spice to create a gastronomic nirvana.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2007 Cave B Saignée Rosé
Vintage: 2007
Release Date: March, 2008
Production: 130 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
The 2007 Cave B Saignée is a powerhouse of a Rosé. It presents itself with a huge nose full of freshly made strawberry jam then flows into aromas of red licorice. The complex bouquet continues with fresh Bing cherries and fresh figs capped off with some beautifully delicate floral notes. Flavours of tropical fruits, namely guava and feijoa are accompanied by nuances of mango and passion fruit as you taste this involved Rosé.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2006 Cave B Sangiovese
Vintage: 2006
Release Date: December 2007
Production: 120 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
The three-variety cuvée is a true Super Tuscan-styled blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Expect to find complex flavors of dried plum and black cherry in Cave B's second Sangiovese. This range of flavors is introduced by the associated aromas of black currant and dried cranberries. The wine concludes with a nearly endless finish.
A very unique and rare wine indeed, curiously imbued with a complexity unrivalled by any Sangiovese outside of Chianti or Tuscany. The qualities of this wine are our reward for growing vines on the rocky terraces below the Cave B Inn, which are so difficult to farm. An amazing wine of such quality from such young vines is possible only on very special sites.
While the wine is one of those which are highly enjoyable on their own, the 2006 Sangiovese would be perfect when paired with a great variety of pasta and red sauce dishes. A particular pairing favorite is to serve this wine alongside peppercorned tenderloin medallions atop buttered slices of baguette, generously topped with crumbled Gorgonzola or Roquefort.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2007 Cave B Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2007
Release Date: March, 2008
Production:130 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
Our second appearance of a varietal Sauvignon Blanc for Cave B is a Million miles apart from the style that we produced for the 2006 vintage. For the 2007 vintage we decided to go after more of the classic characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc by not introducing any oak into the production of this delicate white. The results are first observed in the exquisite light colour of the wine. The graceful aromas of this wine are accentuated in subtle fruit notes of fresh quince, star fruit, and cumquats. The palate commences with flavours of dried mango followed with the crisp acidity of green apples and finally rounded out with a long finish of sweet Ruby Red Grapefruit.
This wine will make a great partner to oysters on the half shell, steamed clams, crab, lobster, and delicately prepared shrimp dishes.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2006 Cave B Sémillon
Vintage: 2006
Released: March 2008
Production: 334 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyard
Awards: Not yet judged in competition
Winemaker's Notes:
Our 2006 offering of Semillon continues our tradition of well balanced and complex Cave B Semillon. Upon approaching your glass, the initial impression of this wine is reminiscent of a freshly opened bag of banana chips, the well integrated oak offers light notes of vanilla and caramel on the nose. Tasting this sophisticated white offers a wonderful assault of fruit flavours on your palate that starts off with a rich mouthful of ripe papaya, along with delicate undertones of pineapple, and baked apples. The well balanced acidity leads you into a long finish akin to candied orange zest.
This wine will pair well with grilled chicken, a huge range of seafood dishes, and some pork preparations.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2006 Cave B Sémillon - Ice Wine
Vintage: 2006
Released: March 2007
Production: 120 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Awards: Not yet judged in competition
Winemaker's Notes:
A Cave B exclusive, this ice wine was made from icy grapes which were compressed in a basket press, a means of extracting every sweet drop of the precious and viscous Sémillon juice. The ice-cold nectar was sent directly from the press to three new Missouri oak barrels .
Barrel fermented and aged for a short time sur lie, its ample complexion is dominated by dried apricot, white peach and ripe Anjou pear overtones, and the sweet aromas associated with these fruits. There is an abundance of turbinado sugar-based confection sweetness, with a hint of vanillin from being fermented in new wood. The wine has become an after-dinner favorite on the estate, as it is perfectly paired with a broad range of desserts including chocolate-covered apricots, Fuji apple tart, blue cheese and pâté de foie gras .
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2007 Cave B Late Harvest Sémillon
Vintage: 2007
Released: March 2008
Production: 189 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Awards: Not yet judged in competition
Winemaker's Notes:
For the 2007 Vintage Mother Nature did not grace us with the cold temperatures early enough to make an Ice Wine but with a temperature of 21° Fahrenheit at harvest this Late Harvest Semillon does offer some characteristics found in Ice Wine. The first impression is of baked stone fruits, Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and Plums with nuances of Caramel and Vanilla. The palate is a virtual cocktail of flavours with macerated peaches, ripe cantaloupe, mixed melon sorbet, and a hint of lemon meringue all topped with a nutty finish of lightly toasted almonds, a testament that it spent its short ageing life in brand new American Oak barrels.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 2005 Cave B Syrah
Vintage: 2005
Released: June 2007
Production: 140 Cases
Vineyard: Cave B Estate Vineyards
Winemaker's Notes:
If ever there was a grape variety that was distinguished by being the most responsive to the site upon which it was grown, it would be Syrah. As cultivated and vinified at Cave B, Syrah exhibits the most Rhône-like expression of the variety this side of the Atlantic Ocean. For certain, one can easily find truth in this assertive statement when subjecting the wine to sensory evaluation. A comparison to Old-World wines will surely follow.
A stylistic decision was made to avoid picking the new Syrah overly ripe, a common way to make big, opulent wines. This method yields wines of great structure and high alcohol, but always to the detriment of ageability. Instead, the two young blocks were harvested early to lend greater austerity to the wine to better condition it for long life.
This Syrah's amazingly complex aromas can be described as being akin to those of white pepper, tanned leather, rosemary, yarrow and sage. It leads into a palate full of red raspberry (Red Vines® licorice?), fresh cranberry, sage, fennel, peppercorn and nuances of cedar and toasted oak. If a comparison can be drawn to wines from Côte-Rôtie, in the northern Rhône Valley, it would owe entirely to the exceptional site upon which this Syrah is grown and the very judicious amount of Viognier that was co-fermented with it.
The 2005 Cave B Syrah will be best when accompanied by food, or even alone after being decanted for maximum exposure to the air. The wine pairs exceedingly well with medallions of peppercorn beef atop buttered slices of baguette, and perhaps topped with Roquefort cheese. With dinner, try it as a perfect accompaniment to roasted salmon, peppered steak, braised lamb, and fine blue cheese afterward.
|
|
|
|
