Fall 2005 Releases
Release notes coming soon
2002 Syrah "The Flop"
2002 Syrah "4th Street"
2002 Syrah "The River"
2002 Ryson Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Fall 2004 Releases
Release notes coming soon
2003 Charmaine Angela White Wine
2002 Syrah "La Petite Fille"
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon "Le Petit Garcon"
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Klipsun Vineyard
Fall 2003 Releases
2002 Charmaine Angela White Wine (Roussanne and Chardonnay)
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vine Select
2001 Syrah Reserve Elerding Vineyard
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Elerding Vineyard
Fall 2002 Releases
2001 Charmaine Angela White Wine (Roussanne/Chardonnay/Viognier)
2001 Pinot Noir
2000 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Select
Fall 2001 Releases
1999 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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1999 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
(Inaugural release September 2001)
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Notes:
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Austin Robaire proudly presents our first inaugural release: 1999 Cabernet
Sauvignon, a classic Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon.
Extraordinary aromatics with ripe blackberry, cassis, and spicy black
cherries; some hints of dark chocolate. Medium textured with high depth
of pure ripe red and black fruit flavors balanced with some tobacco and
latte notes. The nice lingering finish begs for another sip. It has
the structure and acidity to warrant several years in the cellar. A
classy and elegant Cabernet.
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Vintage:
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The 1999 harvest was a cool year by Washington State standards. The cool
spring and summer months caused many vineyard growers to extensively drop
fruit to have grapes fully mature by harvest time. However, September
and October came through with sunny, dry, warm days. Vintage 1999
turned out to be an excellent one with ripe focused fruit flavors and
ample acidity.
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Melange:
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78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot; 221 cases.
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Vineyards:
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Waddle and Inion.
The Waddle vineyard is located north of Sunnyside. This Yakima Valley
appellation vineyard is a cooler site within a warm microclimate. The
vines are approximately six years old.
The Inion vineyard is located southwest of Grandview. The vineyard
overlooks the Yakima River and has a gentle southern exposure. The
vines are approximately 26 years old.
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Harvest:
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October 25 - November 3, 1999.
Average brix: 23.7; TA: 7.0 g/l; pH: 3.67
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Cellar:
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Two types of yeast were used: Lalvin D254 and Zymaflora F10.
Fermentation length was 6 to 14 days. The wine went into barrels
November 16-23, 1999.
Malolactic fermentation occurred in barrels. The wine was aged 20
months in barrels.
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Cooperage:
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100% French oak barrels from Seguin Moreau, Demptos, and Sylvain.
Medium and Medium plus toast.
25% new, 75% used once.
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2001 Charmaine Angela White Wine
(Roussanne/Viognier/Chardonnay)
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Notes:
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Austin Robaire's first white wine, this succulent and seductive white releases wild flowers and tropical fruit aromatics upon pulling the cork. This full-bodied white has broad flavors of lychee, peaches, honeysuckle and freshly baked French bread. The flavors continue to intrigue the palate as mangoes, peaches and floral scents mingle for dominance. A beautiful ingering finish of pears and fruit ends in blissful contentment.
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Vintage:
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Vintage 2001 was full of seasonal and regional variations for Washington State. With a mild winter and a generous spring, the summer months were plagued with fears of drought, but resulted in an exceptional harvest. Water rationing caused the vineyards to produce low yields due to small berry size. The hot days in the first week of September caused the sugar levels to elevate quickly while the fruit was still physically immature. Fortunately the weather cooled the following week allowing the acid levels to balance the sugar. The resulting wine grapes were ripe and mature with intense color and rich flavors.
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Melange:
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55% Roussanne, 10% Viognier, 35% Chardonnay
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Vineyards:
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This wine is a blend of Roussanne and Viognier from Snipes Canyon Ranch located in the Yakima Valley and Chardonnay from the Artz Vineyard located in Red Mountain.
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Cellar:
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The Roussanne and Viognier was gently pressed and cool vinified in stainless steel tanks using with a special yeast to capture its great aromatic fruit expressions. The Chardonnay was barrel fermented in Taransaud French oak barrels (100% new), sur lies, with weekly battonage for ten months with no racking prior to bottling. This wine was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in late July 2002.
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Release Date:
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November 2002
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Production:
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60 cases
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2001 Pinot Noir Ward Family Vineyard
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Notes:
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Cloaked in a robe of ruby, this medium-textured wine greets you with a seductive nose of violets, lilac and perfume. Red raspberries and wild strawberries complemented by subtle oak and sweet bing cherry flavors glide over your palate. The Ward Family Vineyard Pinot Noir is elegance in the glass with deceptively firm structure, smooth tannins, and fresh acidity.
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Vintage:
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Western Washington's cool climate is ideal for Pinot Noir, often being compared to Burgundy, France. Vintage 2001 's growing season was fairly warm by Western Washington standards resulting in ample heat units, which fully ripened the Pinot Noir grown in this vineyard. The fruit was hand harvested and exhibited beautiful dark color, small tight clusters with tiny berries.
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Melange:
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100% Pinot Noir (70% Dijon clone 114, 30% Dijon clone 115)
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Vineyards:
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The Ward Family Vineyard is located east of Vancouver, Washington near the Oregon border. This vineyard lies in a warm micro-climate within a cool climate zone creating ideal growing conditions for the finicky Pinot Noir. This six acre vineyard is planted with early ripening and small clustered Dijon clone 114 and 115 Pinot Noir.
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Cellar:
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The fruit was gently crushed and cold-soaked for four days then fermented in small bins with three daily punch-downs. Four types of yeast were used. Fermentation length was ten days. The wine was gently pressed and aged in Francois Freres and Seguin Moreau French oak barrels (50% new). This Pinot Noir was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in early August 2002.
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Release Date:
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November 2002
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Production:
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50 cases
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2000 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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Notes:
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Our 2000 Cabernet is a worthy successor to our popular 1999 Cabernet. Ruby in color, this wine has delicious layered flavors of ripe cassis, chocolate, blackberries and spices. Its plush yet firm texture combined with ample flavors of black currant, cherries, sugar plums, and mocha makes this wine a joy in the glass. The tannins are smooth and supple; the finish is long and lush. Gorgeous now for its balanced elegance and strength, cellaring will reward the wine enthusiast with enjoyment for seven or more years.
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Vintage:
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2000 was a classic vintage defined by a warm growing season and cool harvest. This perfect growing season resulted in evenly ripened fruit. These wines possess balance and concentration due to the even fruit set. The wines have the structure to warrant several years in the cellar but are also accessible early in their lives when given proper decanting.
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Melange:
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85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot
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Vineyards:
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This wine is a blend of fruit from several Yakima Valley vineyards including Kestral Vineyard.
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Cellar:
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The wine was fermented in small bins with three daily punch-downs. Several types of yeast were used to created complex layered flavors and aromatics. Fermentation length varied between five to fifteen days. The wine was gently pressed and aged 17 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 20% new. This cabernet was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in late July 2002.
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Release Date:
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November 2002
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Production:
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160 cases
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2000 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Select
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Notes:
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Bring on the big boys - this wine is hedonism in a glass. This brooding inky wine is what gets wine lovers all excited about massive blockbuster cabernets. Warm and inviting, the profusion of ripe black cassis and vanilla aroma leads the mouth with intense and viscous layered black fruit, black raspberries, cassis, vanilla and dark chocolate. The finish keeps the palate intrigued and amazed all evening long until the bottle is empty. Simply delicious. This muscular wine will surprise you with its firm, plush tannins even after cellaring for 12 or more years.
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Vintage:
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2000 was a classic vintage defined by a warm growing season and cool harvest. This perfect growing season resulted in evenly ripened fruit. These wines possess balance and concentration due to the even fruit set. The wines have the structure to warrant several years in the cellar but are also accessible early in their lives when given proper decanting.
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Melange:
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92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
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Vineyards:
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This wine is a blend of Yakima Valley fruit, known for high toned red berries, with Red Mountain fruit, famous for their structure.
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Cellar:
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The wine was fermented in small bins with three daily punch downs. Fermentation length varied between five to fifteen days. The wine was gently pressed and aged 21 months in Taransaud French and Lafite Hungarian oak barrels (100% new). This Select Cabernet was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in late July 2002.
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Release Date:
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November 2002
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Production:
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50 cases
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2002 Charmaine Angela White Wine
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Notes:
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Austin Robaire's white wine, light gold in color, has a nose that is dominated by tropical fruit, floral peach, citrus and honey components. Surprisingly full bodied, the intense flavors of perfumed tropical notes, lychee, pineapples, floral marmalade, kiwi, smoke and crunchy nuts intensify the remarkable levels of richness leading to a long detailed finish. The balanced acidity keeps the palate lively and wanting more.
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Vintage:
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Vintage 2002 was a cooler year. This means we had to drop fruit to compensate for the low heat units. The extended hang time resulted in grapes of magnificent flavors - broad and deep. Being in the vineyard and tasting the fruit for optimum maturity were the keys to success in this vintage. We pushed the excellence bar up the next level across all our wines in the vintage.
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Varietal Blend:
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66% Roussanne, 34% Chardonnay
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Vineyards:
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Our vineyard sources remain as before - the cool Snipes Canyon Ranch in Prosser and the warmer Artz Vineyard on Red Mountain.
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Cellar:
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The grapes were gently pressed and cool vintified. Chardonnay was barrel fermented in new Francois Freres Oregon Oak, sur lies, with weekly battonage for ten months with no racking while the Roussanne fermented in stainless steel. Two special yeasts were used to extract the aromatic components. This wine was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in early September 2003.
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Release Date:
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November 2003
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Production:
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60 cases
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2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
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Notes:
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The first thing you notice about this wine is the dark ruby color. A big wine - bigger than our previous bottlings. The very expressive nose of black fruit, cherries and cassis fills the glass. Medium-plus textured, the flavors slather the palate with ample amounts of spice-laden blackberries, black olives, mocha, cassis, and plummy dark fruit. The flavors of this discreet and classy wine echo nicely to its silky long finish. Enjoy it now but will cellar well for 5 years or more.
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Vintage:
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Vintage 2001 was full of seasonal and regional variations for Washington State. After a mild winter and a generous spring, the summer months were plagued with fears of drought. Fortunately the weather cooled at the last minute, allowing the acid levels to drop and flavors to develop. Although the yields were small, the resulting wine grapes were ripe and mature with intense color and rich flavors, an exceptional harvest.
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Varietal Blend:
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85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec
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Vineyards:
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This wine is a blend of fruit from Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, Pepperbridge, Portteus, Pleasant, and Snipes Canyon Ranch.
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Cellar:
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The wine was fermented in small bins with three daily punch-downs. Several types of yeast were used to created complex layered flavors and aromatics. Fermentation length varied between five to 10 days. The wine was gently pressed and aged 23 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. This cabernet was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in early September 2003.
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Release Date:
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November 2003
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Production:
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300 cases
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2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vine Select
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Notes:
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Now called Old Vine Select. This brooding wine is more luscious than last year's sold-out Select. Its ripe blackberry aroma co-mingles with black raspberries and super ripe cassis. This wine possesses a full textured mouthfeel - broad and coating. It combines the generosity of bright red fruit from Snipes Canyon Ranch with the power, concentration and structure of ripe black fruit from Ciel du Cheval on Red Mountain resulting in a velvet-layered black fruit lasting a good minute or so. This muscular wine will cellar well for 10 years or more.
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Vintage:
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Vintage 2001 was full of seasonal and regional variations for Washington State. After a mild winter and a generous spring, the summer months were plagued with fears of drought. Fortunately the weather cooled at the last minute, allowing the acid levels to drop and flavors to develop. Although the yields were small, the resulting wine grapes were ripe and mature with intense color and rich flavors, an exceptional harvest.
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Varietal Blend:
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90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec
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Vineyards:
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This wine is a blend of Yakima Valley fruit from Snipes Canyon Ranch, known for high toned red berries, with Red Mountain fruit from Ciel du Cheval, famous for their structure.
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Cellar:
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The wine was fermented in small bins with three daily punch downs. Fermentation length varied between five to fifteen days. The wine was gently pressed and aged 21 months in Taransaud and Seguin Moreau French oak barrels (75% new). This Select Cabernet was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in early September 2003.
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Release Date:
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November 2003
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Production:
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100 cases
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2001 Syrah Reserve Elerding Vineyard
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Notes:
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This 100% syrah is the dense opaque purple color. Scents of violets, black raspberries, blackberries, pepper and licorice swirl around in the glass. This ooze monster swirls like motor oil. Volumes of glycerin coat the mouth with velvety tannins and black fruit leading the palate attack. Its flavor concentration and richness must be tasted to believe and offer copious amounts of blackberries, black cherries with some black licorice, minerals and pepper notes. This wine flirts with greatness and continues to grow in flavor even after you have swallowed it. The flavor profile continues to develop in complexity, becoming moorish with each sip.
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Vintage:
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Vintage 2001 was full of seasonal and regional variations for Washington State. After a mild winter and a generous spring, the summer months were plagued with fears of drought. Fortunately the weather cooled at the last minute, allowing the acid levels to drop and flavors to develop. Although the yields were small, the resulting wine grapes were ripe and mature with intense color and rich flavors, an exceptional harvest.
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Varietal Blend:
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100% Syrah
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Vineyards:
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Some of the most famous Syrah comes from Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie in the Rhone, where they make majestic, long-lived reds. Those dense, opaque single vineyard Hermitage and Côte-Rôties are winemaker Ron Yabut's inspiration for our first Syrah. We searched the Columbia valley for the perfect Syrah source and found it in the Elerding vineyard. We believe that Washington State wines can compete with the best of Napa Valley and first Growth Bordeaux. In vintage 2001 everything came together - perfect site, great hang time, fabulous flavor profile and minuscule yields. Introducing our first single vineyard, limited edition Syrah Reserve wines from Elerding Vineyard. This North-facing vineyard is situated on the slopes of the Horse Heaven Hills. The warm air flows down the hills giving the vineyard that ideal micro-climate resulting in ample hang time and slow flavor profile development
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Cellar:
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The fruit was gently crushed and cold-soaked for four days then fermented in small bins with three daily punch-downs. Four types of yeast were used. Fermentation length was 15 days. The wine was gently pressed and aged in Francois Freres and Seguin Moreau French oak barrels (100% once used). This Syrah was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in early September 2003.
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Release Date:
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November 2003
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Production:
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70 cases
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2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Elerding Vineyard
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Notes:
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Our most limited wine! This 100% Cabernet has an opaque black/blue core, broad black ruby rims, almost syrupy in appearance. The bouquet of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry fruit on the nose is thick and viscous. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, the flavor of opulent, full-bodied black fruit with sweet accents of milk chocolate, coffee ice cream, and molasses enhances a massive palate attack with mind numbing concentration and richness. Delicious and elegantly balanced for its size, the finish is loaded with thickness and deep pools of fruit pushing the palate experience to another level - a legend in the making.
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Vintage:
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Vintage 2001 was full of seasonal and regional variations for Washington State. After a mild winter and a generous spring, the summer months were plagued with fears of drought. Fortunately the weather cooled at the last minute, allowing the acid levels to drop and flavors to develop. Although the yields were small, the resulting wine grapes were ripe and mature with intense color and rich flavors, an exceptional harvest.
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Varietal Blend:
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100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.6 ton per acre yield
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Vineyards:
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We believe that Washington State wines can compete with the best of Napa Valley and first Growth Bordeaux. In vintage 2001 everything came together - perfect site, great hang time, fabulous flavor profile and minuscule yields. Introducing our first single vineyard, limited edition Cabernet Reserve wines from Elerding Vineyard. This North-facing vineyard is situated on the slopes of the Horse Heaven Hills. The warm air flows down the hills giving the vineyard that ideal micro-climate resulting in ample hang time and slow flavor profile development.
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Cellar:
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The fruit was gently crushed and cold-soaked for four days then fermented in small bins with three daily punch-downs. Four types of yeast were used. Fermentation length was 15 days. The wine was gently pressed and aged in Francois Freres French oak barrels (100% new). This Cabernet was hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered in early September 2003.
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Release Date:
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November 2003
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Production:
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25 cases
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