Den Hoed brothers, Bill and Andy, team up with another Washington wine pioneer, Allen Shoup, to create a blend of classic red grape varietals and a single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from their jointly owned Wallula Vineyard. Their father, Andreas Den Hoed, migrated from Holland and labored to save enough money to bring his fiancee, Marie to join him. As one of the first families to see the future in Washington wine grapes, they parlayed their holdings into what is considered among the top vineyard sites in Washington state. The site terraces down 1300 feet of slope on the Southeastern most corner of the Columbia River, where the river becomes the border between Washington and Oregon.
This is a shining example of pure Cabernet Sauvignon from estate Wallula Vineyard in the area of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA known as “The Benches.” Gilles Nicault, also winemaker for Allen Shoup’s Longshadows project, crafts the wines for Den Hoed.
Nose: Opulent aromas of black and red fruit, black currant, leather and fresh savory herbs.
Taste: Sophistication and elegance define this powerful structured Cab displaying enormity of depth with richly concentrated blackberry, black cherry, cassis, fig and hints of anise. Ultra polished tannins linger effortlessly on the long finish.
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Production: 260 cases
Alcohol: 14.6%
Website: www.denhoedwines.com