2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes

I can’t say enough how much I love the 2018 vintage and this wine - an absolutely stunning year and a vintage that shows a winemaker how great wines can really be. I tasted this new Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon over a week and it kept getting better and changing in complexity. One true challenge is creating a wine that will age for decades but will also drink well on release. I think 2018 accomplished that to perfection. Crème de cassis, black currant, blackberry, wafts of dried cranberry, a hint of wet gravel after a fresh rain and pencil shavings. The richness of this wine is a love affair- chewy tannins and a long, long finish is something that I truly gravitate towards in wines that I enjoy on a personal level and it is on high display here. Everything is in balance. Enjoy this wine now through 2043.

Vintage Notes

The 2018 vintage is already showing as one of my favorites of all time to work with. A slightly late, to on time bud break was quickly followed by the month of May which was over-the-top warm and lead us to great canopy growth. June, however, brought cooler weather that then warmed up substantially in July and August and we got through bloom and began to ripen quickly. The hallmark of the vintage though, was September and October as we experienced absolutely some of the best, most consistent, harvest weather I have seen. Warm but milder temperatures, cool nights, and a long finish to the growing season led to perfectly ripened grapes. This vintage was the first year that was completely made in our new estate facility, and marks a year where our goal of “elegance” really starts to show off as we slowly back away from new oak usage and started to increase aging Cabernet in concrete tulips and Austrian oak ovals. I am tremendously proud of our team and these wines and am excited to share this vintage with you.

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2018 was also a landmark year for Doubleback as it was the first vintage we were able to make - start to finish - at our brand new facility. It was kind of Mother Nature to christen our winery with a near perfect vintage! The 2018 Doubleback Cabernet and Estate Reserve epitomize the vision we’ve had for our wines from the very start. Elegance, structure, complexity, depth and power. All in perfect harmony. It is a great feeling to be able to say that our 12th vintage of Doubleback is arguably our best yet! Hats off to Josh and our entire team, for the passion they continue to pour into this project. But even more importantly, an enormous thanks to you for continuing to make our vision a reality!
– Note from Drew

Technical Notes