 | | VinoCellar.com Wine Forums | |
| |
| | | Author | Messages | |
Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10803
 | | 10/31/2004 4:39 PM |
| - 2002 Fidelitas Cabernet Sauvignon - Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA (10/30/2004)
This wine was a very dark, dense purple with a nose of vanilla from the oak and allspice along with cocoa. Its flavors included plum, chocolate and vanilla with a plush, velvet mouthfeel. The best WA cabs have an earthiness that distinguishes them from cabs from other areas and this one had some earthiness along with a bit of leather. It was balanced without pronounced acidity or tannins so it is probably a short-term wine (3-5 years) although it is hard to tell without a track record.
[$45; Decanted 20 minutes, recommend 45 minutes or longer; Served with lamb chops]
*******
As I'm sure not too many people are familiar with this wine I included below the winemaker's notes on this wine.
Made by Charlie Hoppes. Hoppes is the winemaker or consulting winemaker for Canyon del Sol and Goose Ridge wineries. He has been the winemaker/consulting winemaker for Zefina, Ryan Patrick Winery, Three Rivers, Alder Ridge, Six Prong, Saint Laurent and Gamache Vintners among others.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES A true reflection of its origins, our 2002 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon brings together fruit from four of the appellation’s finest vineyards. Beneath its red fruit flavors and slight herbal notes, you can practically taste the earthy richness from which the grapes grew.
VINEYARD The four Walla Walla Valley vineyards for this wine are: Windrow Vineyard (40%) Dwelley Vineyard (27%), La Tour Vineyard (27%), and Vanessa’s Vineyard (6%).
VARIETAL COMPOSITION 94% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Merlot
OAK AGING 20 months 50% New French and American Oak (90 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker! | | | |
| ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts:1210
| | 11/01/2004 4:42 PM |
| Charlie Hoppes was also the red wine maker for Chateau Ste Michelle River Ridge facility through most of the 90's.
I will look for this one to try. Charlie overall has a good track record and I have liked some of the goose ridge and Canon Del Sol syrahs he has made. His first fidelitas meritage was very hot and way overpriced though. I have watched the price come down from $55 to under $30 in some stores. | | | |
| Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10803
| | 11/01/2004 9:44 PM |
| | Yes, they should be concerned about the pricing on this wine. I think high pricing is an issue with many WA wines. There are too many subpar $50 wines throughout every region. Personally I like WA wines because of the earthy and mineral components the good wines have. | | | |
| ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 11/01/2004 11:08 PM |
| | especially when qc can be had for not that much more. | | | |
| Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10803
| | 03/05/2005 6:27 PM |
| - 2002 Fidelitas Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Walla Walla Valley (3/4/2005)
This wine was more like a 91-92. This bottle was an improvement from the first bottle. The wine is becoming more focused with the herbal notes more prominent. It also has taken on more site typicity with WA minerality and earthiness in play. A very nice wine and good buy for the quality.
[$45; Decanted 20 minutes, recommend 45 minutes or longer; Served with grilled hamburgers and oven fries]
(91 pts.)
Kudos to Mr. Winetex for nailing this double-blind as a WA cab.
Posted from CellarTracker! | | | |
|
| | You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
| |
ActiveForums 3.7 |
| |
| |
|
| | Proposed Change to American Viticultural Area Naming Standards Monday, March 10, 2008
| Wine Primers - Links to Your Wine Education Tuesday, February 12, 2008
| Wine Country Report: Day trip to the Willamette Valley Monday, February 11, 2008
| VinoCellar's Favorite Wine Links Saturday, February 09, 2008
| Wine Retailer Reports - Thanks Winetex! Monday, February 04, 2008
|
|
| |
| |
| |  | Membership: |  | Latest:pitch9 |  | New Today:1 |  | New Yesterday:0 |  | Overall:2056 |
 | People Online: |  | Visitors:83 |  | Members:3 |  | Total:86 |
|
|
| |
| |
|