Late Harvest 22
OK.... Do we have to explain ourselves? Everyone needs a little sweetness in their lives once in awhile. This is 100% Cabernet that was left on the vine until December.
It started as an experiment in the vineyard and turned into something special. It is a dessert wine like no other and as far as we know, it is one of a kind. It might just blow you away.... like it did us.
2022 Late Harvest Cab
Winemakers: Ken Abbott
AVA: Red Mountain
Blend: 100% Obelisco Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: Stainless Steel/Oak
Aging: steel
Tasting Notes: It is not as sweet as you might expect. The nose has concentrations of bright, yet mellow fruit. There was just enough malolactic fermentation to take the edge of the fruit acids which makes this a pleasant sipper with notes of concentrated melon, citrus and cranberries. It is a dessert palate pleaser that finishes with very light port notes and pleasing fruit tones. Will surely age well too.
Harvest: 2022 was a great growing year on Red Mountain. The grapes were abundant and tasty. Many winemakers lamented the lateness of sugar development brought on by a cool Fall, but the flavors in the grapes developed earlier, so we at Obelisco were happy how things were shaping up. The only difference is that due to lower sugars, the resulting wines will have less alchohol than other years. The cool autumn allowed for lots of great hang time on the vines to develop wonderful flavors and allowed us the luxury to pick when the skins, flavor, and chemistry were perfect. There was no rush. The 2022 harvest was a plentiful and flavorful harvest. The white grapes were ready early and had lots of flavor while the reds developed lots of flavor, but struggled to finish with sugar production. It was nice to see good yield after two years of very small yield in the fields.
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Varietal | Cabernet |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Cabernet |
| Appellation | Obelisco State |
| Vineyard | Obelisco Estate |
| Harvest Date | 12/12/2022 |
| Residual Sugar | 1.% |
| Alcohol | 17.00% |
| Volume | 375 ml |
| Bottling Date | 06/14/2023 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
Obelisco Estates Vineyard - Red Mountain
Characteristics
- Elevation: 762-871 feet
- Acres: 30
- Scooteney silt loam
- Warden silt loam
The main 30 acre vineyard, designed and planted for the sole purpose of producing intensely complex, elegant and rich red wines, is located on the southwest facing slope bathed in sunlight throughout long daylight hours, with cool nights and the moderating effect of the Yakima River below. Obelisco Estate vineyard is perfectly situated to grow world class grapes noted for their structure, acidity and intense varietal character. The vineyard is one of the most intensely planted vineyards in the Northwest.
The vineyard is located in the Red Mountain terrior which is known for some of the best growing conditions for Bordeaux varietals in North America. The unusual soil depths and ideal cumulative maturation time are un-matched in Washington.
Ken Abbott
As the GM, I carry on the family tradition of producing wine at Obelisco with my Aunt Betsy and as a steward of the family’s style of wines. In honor of Doug who was the founder with Betsy, I and my amazing team at Obelisco carry on the love to help people “Celebrate Life.”
As the winemaker, it is important to carry on the tradition that was impressed upon me by my uncle. We strive to make intense varietals that stand out with their characteristics and don't let you forget that you are drinking a premium wine.
Wine that is big with lots of flavor, yet with approachable elegance, is the goal. I am always looking for ways to improve while staying within the family style that we love. Incremental adjustments each year to maintain the quality have become the norm. We have to be a little inconsistent in our methodology every year, since the harvest is different every year. This way we can keep our wines strung together in the style that we love.
