Den Hoed Cabernet Sauvignon Wallula Vineyards Andreas 2016

Country

Varietals

• Cabernet Sauvignon

  Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape known for deep color, firm tannins and a clearly defined structure. Blackcurrant, often described as cassis, is a signature flavor, accompanied by blackberry and, depending on the wine, cedar, graphite, mint or herbal notes. Oak aging can add spice and toast, while bottle age may bring tobacco, leather and other savory layers. The grape is a cornerstone of Bordeaux's Left Bank, especially the Médoc and Graves, where it is commonly blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and smaller amounts of other varieties. Beyond Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon has established distinctive regional identities, including Australia's Coonawarra and Margaret River. Vineyard climate and ripeness influence whether the emphasis falls on fresh fruit and herbs or richer, fuller expressions. Its tannins, acidity and concentration can support long development in well-balanced examples. Many accessible styles are made for earlier enjoyment, while more structured wines reward time as their tannins soften and their aromas evolve. Cabernet Sauvignon brings depth and backbone to blends and can also express a vineyard's character as a varietal wine.

• Malbec

  Yields dark, plush reds with ripe black fruit and soft tannins. A traditional Bordeaux blender, it found its greatest fame in Argentina.

• Merlot

  Merlot is a red grape valued for generous fruit, a rounded palate and a supple, often velvety texture. Plum and cherry are characteristic flavors, sometimes accompanied by violet or fig, with chocolate, coffee and savory notes developing in some wines as they mature. Its styles range from bright, approachable reds to deeply concentrated wines with substantial structure. Bordeaux is Merlot's historic home, and the grape is particularly important on the Right Bank in Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Fronsac. There it can lead a blend, frequently partnered with Cabernet Franc. Across Bordeaux, Merlot also complements Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing fruit and roundness alongside the latter's firmer tannic framework. Merlot generally ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, helping growers achieve ripe fruit in a range of conditions. Vineyard site, harvest timing and cellar choices determine the final balance of richness, freshness and tannin. Many bottlings offer pleasure in their youth, while fine, well-balanced examples can develop layered aromas and greater complexity through extended aging.

• Petit Verdot

  Petit Verdot is a red grape associated with deeply colored wines, firm tannins and pronounced aromatic intensity. Violet, spice and licorice are characteristic notes, with cocoa or coffee appearing in some expressions. Even a small addition can give a blend greater depth, texture and structure. In Bordeaux, Petit Verdot traditionally plays a supporting role alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, especially on the Left Bank in the Médoc and Graves. Its late-ripening cycle makes the growing season important: sufficient warmth and time are needed to bring its fruit and tannins to maturity. The proportion used in a blend therefore varies with the vineyard, vintage and producer's style. Petit Verdot is also bottled on its own, particularly in warm growing regions where it can ripen reliably. These wines give a fuller view of its floral, spicy character and concentrated structure. Careful vineyard work and tannin management are central to balancing its intensity, whether it serves as a small but influential blending component or the principal grape in the bottle.