Zephros
Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Wow. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the wine, which I bought on a whim several years ago. It’s great. Classic scents of weedy cassis, inky graphite, clove, and baking spice. Flavors seem younger than an ‘09 from Washington would be. Intense and focused flavors. Rich cassis extract, iodine, savory minerals. Lengthy finish.
Wow. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the wine, which I bought on a whim several years ago. It’s great. Classic scents of weedy cassis, inky graphite, clove, and baking spice. Flavors seem younger than an ‘09 from Washington would be. Intense and focused flavors. Rich cassis extract, iodine, savory minerals. Lengthy finish.
Jun 19th, 2023
Drinking great. Distinctively WA Cab too.
Drinking great. Distinctively WA Cab too.
Sep 24th, 2017
Nice color of dark burgundy with purple hue. Nose is seducing with plenty amount of dried strawberries and ripe banana or mango, crayon, wet dust. The nose keeps surfacing and doesn’t end. Taste is following the nose with some more flavors like subtle sweetness and zest, tobacco leaves, and really nice oak. Acidity, cooking spices like oregano, and tannins show up in the aftertaste, medium long. A very distinct Cab that is so different from traditional California Cab. She reminds me of high end Amarone.
Nice color of dark burgundy with purple hue. Nose is seducing with plenty amount of dried strawberries and ripe banana or mango, crayon, wet dust. The nose keeps surfacing and doesn’t end. Taste is following the nose with some more flavors like subtle sweetness and zest, tobacco leaves, and really nice oak. Acidity, cooking spices like oregano, and tannins show up in the aftertaste, medium long. A very distinct Cab that is so different from traditional California Cab. She reminds me of high end Amarone.
Jan 4th, 2018
Moderate ruby/violet hue. Blackberry, graphite, vanilla, and hints of mint are evident on the nose. On the palate, it’s medium to full bodied with bright acidity, 14% alcohol, and a long finish featuring prominent, chalky tannins. It is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from 30 year-old vines in the famed Champoux Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills. This vineyard is also the source of several 100 Parker point Cabernets from Quilceda Creek Vintners. It’s aged 30 months in 100% new French oak and then in bottle before release. It’s a wine which straddles the poles of New World power and Old World finesse and represents an incredible value for such a high quality terroir.
Moderate ruby/violet hue. Blackberry, graphite, vanilla, and hints of mint are evident on the nose. On the palate, it’s medium to full bodied with bright acidity, 14% alcohol, and a long finish featuring prominent, chalky tannins. It is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from 30 year-old vines in the famed Champoux Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills. This vineyard is also the source of several 100 Parker point Cabernets from Quilceda Creek Vintners. It’s aged 30 months in 100% new French oak and then in bottle before release. It’s a wine which straddles the poles of New World power and Old World finesse and represents an incredible value for such a high quality terroir.
Nov 10th, 2017
Black and blue fruit. Zippy tannins. Easily has 5-8 more years on this. A bit boozy on the nose. Tomorrow will be great. French oak in the background. Very nice
Black and blue fruit. Zippy tannins. Easily has 5-8 more years on this. A bit boozy on the nose. Tomorrow will be great. French oak in the background. Very nice
Jul 16th, 2017First, the wine needs to breathe (10+ minutes). The wine is tart with pronounced tannins. Dry with some oak. Taste is more complex than a cheap Cabernet Sauvignon, but my infantile tongue can't identify any further. This was a Garagiste purchase.
First, the wine needs to breathe (10+ minutes). The wine is tart with pronounced tannins. Dry with some oak. Taste is more complex than a cheap Cabernet Sauvignon, but my infantile tongue can't identify any further. This was a Garagiste purchase.
Jul 8th, 2017