Cabernet Franc Grape Profile

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1 Cabernet Franc Grape Profile Cabernet Franc is Washington s fourth most produced red grape variety behind Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. However, it is a distant fourth. Cabernet Franc is currently most frequently used as a blending agent in Bordeaux-style blends in Washington. These blends many contain anywhere from a limited amount of Cabernet Franc to a majority depending on style. However, varietally labeled bottles of Cabernet Franc are also common in the state. Cabernet Franc in Washington expresses light herbal notes, which can occasionally become predominant, along with black cherries and chocolate. The grape has a fairly soft, approachable tannin profile. In some areas, particularly warmer areas, the grape can have a distinct floral tone as well. Winemakers in Washington often use similar methods for Cabernet Franc as for Cabernet Sauvignon, ageing the wine in small French oak barrels for often 18 months or longer. Some producers use American oak to age Cabernet Franc as well. The percentage of new oak used varies. Planting: Washington s 4th most planted red grape variety Light herbal notes along with black cherry and chocolate Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope 972 3,400

2 Cabernet Sauvignon Grape Profile Cabernet Sauvignon is Washington s most produced red grape variety, constituting almost one fifth of all grapes produced. As a late ripener, Cabernet Sauvignon is particularly common in warmer areas and sub-appellations such as Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, and Red Mountain - though it is widely planted throughout the Columbia Valley. Black cherry, cassis, and light, high-toned herbal notes are often the hallmarks of Cabernet Sauvignon here. Winemakers in Washington follow traditional methods with Cabernet Sauvignon, ageing the wine in small French, and sometimes American, oak barrels for often 18 months or longer. The percentage of new oak varies, with some vintners using as much as 100%. Cabernet Sauvignon is frequently used in Bordeaux-style blends but varietally labeled bottles are also common. Plantings: Washington s most planted grape variety accounting for nearly one quarter of all acreage Black cherry, cassis and light, high-toned herbal notes Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley 10,293 47,400

3 Chardonnay Grape Profile Chardonnay is Washington s second most produced white grape variety, behind Riesling. Washington Chardonnays are mildly aromatic with aromas and flavors ranging from fresh green apple to stone fruit and tropical fruit depending on the warmth of the site. Chardonnay is made in a variety of styles in Washington, from full bodied wines aged in 100% new oak that have gone through full malolactic fermentation to light bodied wines aged in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation. In recent years, the latter style has been distinguished using the terms naked or unoaked. Planting: Washington s most planted white grape variety Green apple to stone fruit and tropical fruit depending on the warmth of the site Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope 7,654 42,000

4 Grenache Grape Profile Grenache is currently a bit player in Washington with just over 250 acres planted as of However, a number of the resulting wines have been attracting increasing amounts of attention, and once rare varietally designated bottles are becoming more common. Grenache is also frequently used in southern Rhone-style blends in Washington along with Syrah and Mourvèdre. Due to its heat requirements, Grenache plantings tend to be concentrated in the warmer areas of the Columbia Valley, particularly Horse Heaven Hills which is home to over half of the current plantings. The grape s cold hardiness is an issue in the state, where hard winter freezes occur with some regularity. As a late ripener, the grape is also susceptible to end of season frosts. The grape shows aromas of strawberries, spice, and, occasionally, game. Acid and tannins are low. As Grenache often requires a fair amount of heat to ripen fully, many of the resulting wines in Washington tend to be somewhat high in alcohol. Winemakers in Washington follow traditional methods with Grenache, ageing the wine in small French, and sometimes American, oak barrels for often 14 months or longer. Many producers limit their use of new oak compared to other varieties. Plantings: Limited plantings but rapidly increasing Strawberries, spice and, occasionally, game Horse Heaven Hills 261 1,100

5 Malbec Grape Profile Malbec had boom in Washington in the middle part of the last decade. However, the grape is just beginning to get a foothold here, and there were less than 400 acres planted as of Malbec is sometimes used as a minor blending component in Bordeaux-style blends. However, varietally labeled bottles have become common in recent years, though it is still a niche grape with limited plantings. Washington Malbec shows peppery spice, plum, and occasionally light green notes. While the grape delivers abundant fruit flavors, tannins are moderate, especially when compared to grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This makes these wines immediately appealing without extended cellaring. Winemakers in Washington follow traditional methods with Malbec, ageing the wine in small French oak barrels for often 18 months or longer. The percentage of new oak used varies. Planting: Often used as a blending component though varietally labeled bottles are increasing Peppery spice, plum and, occasionally, light green notes Wahluke Slope, Horse Heaven Hills 378 2,400

6 Merlot Grape Profile Merlot is Washington s second most produced red grape variety. The grape was long seen as a potential signature variety for Washington, until the movie Sideways led some consumers to look elsewhere. However, Merlot still produces some of Washington s finest wines, and the grape grows as well here is it does in any region of the world. As an early ripening grape, Merlot ripens easily throughout Washington s growing regions with the exception of some cooler, northern sites. Numerous appellations in Washington therefore excel with Merlot. Washington Merlots are redolent with red fruit aromas and flavors, such as sweet cherries, red currants, and raspberries, along with chocolate and, occasionally, mint. Washington Merlots are unique in that they are often more tannic than those found elsewhere in the New World. In fact, many Washington vintners actually use Cabernet Sauvignon to soften Merlot in contrast to much of the world where the opposite is done. Winemakers in Washington follow traditional methods with Merlot, ageing the wine in small French, and sometimes American, oak barrels for often 16 months or longer. Merlot is frequently used in Bordeaux-style blends but varietally labeled bottles are also widespread. Plantings: Washington s second most planted grape variety Red fruit aromas and flavors, such as sweet cherries, red currants and raspberry, along with chocolate and, occasionally, mint Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley 8,235 35,200

7 Petit Verdot Grape Profile Petit Verdot is currently a bit player in Washington as it is in most of regions of the world. The grape is most frequently used as a minor blending agent in Bordeaux-style blends. However, varietally designated bottles have become more common in recent years, and some winemakers are positively bullish about the grape s long-term prospects here. As a late ripener, Petit Verdot requires a considerable amount of heat, a long growing season, or both to ripen fully. For this reason, plantings in Washington are largely concentrated in warmer locations of the Columbia Valley, such as the Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope. However, plantings of Petit Verdot are also scattered across Washington s other growing regions. Washington Petit Verdot is moderately aromatic and often notable for its floral notes particularly violets - and firm, but not unyielding, tannins. Due to the grape s niche status, varietally labeled bottles are often made in limited production. Winemakers in Washington follow traditional methods with Petit Verdot, ageing the wine in small French or American oak barrels for often 18 months or longer. The percentage of new oak used varies. Planting: Washington s most expensive grape per ton in 2012 Floral notes particularly violets and firm, but not unyielding, tannins Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope 301 1,300

8 Riesling Grape Profile Riesling is Washington s most produced white grape variety. Cooler sites tend to produce aromas and flavors of lime, lemon, and green apple. In warmer regions this turns to stone fruit, particularly peach. Most Rieslings in Washington are off-dry. Winemakers in Washington follow traditional methods with Riesling, ageing the wine almost exclusively in stainless steel. These wines can vary anywhere from bone dry to off-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet, though most are off-dry. Some Washington winemakers use botrytis-infected grapes. This is most frequently the case for dessert wines, with late harvest and ice wines produced when conditions allow. Of note, Washington s Chateau Ste. Michelle is the world s largest producer of Riesling. Plantings: Washington s second most produced grape variety behind Chardonnay Cooler sites tend to produce aromas and flavors of lime, lemon and green apple. In warmer regions this turns to stone fruit, particularly peach. Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Ancient Lakes 6,320 44,100

9 Sauvignon Blanc Grape Profile Sauvignon Blanc is Washington s fourth most planted white grape variety. The grape is frequently blended with Semillon, with one or the other making up the majority of the wine. Washington Sauvignon Blancs are dry, crisp, and refreshing. Depending on the relative warmth of the growing location, they can display anything from herbal notes to citrus and tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Winemakers in Washington use a variety of different methods when making Sauvignon Blanc, with some fermenting and ageing the wine in French oak barrels, others doing the same in stainless steel, and some doing a mixture. Planting: (out of 220,000 Washington s fourth most planted white grape variety Herbal to citrus and tropical fruit notes depending on warmth of the site Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley 1,173 6,700

10 Syrah Grape Profile Syrah is the third most produced red grape in Washington. Perhaps more than any other grape in the state, Syrah shows tremendous variation based on where it is grown and how it is treated in the cellar. As a result, there is no one, unique style to Washington Syrah. Rather, the hallmark for this grape is the diversity of styles. Fruit flavors for Washington Syrah range from dark fruit, such as blackberries, to blueberries, and cranberries. However, many Washington Syrahs are notable for being less fruit forward and more dominated by savory notes. Viognier is occasionally co-fermented, giving these wines a distinct floral uplift. Alcohol levels can range anywhere from under 13.5% to 16% based on the warmth of the growing region and the style the winemaker is looking to achieve. Winemakers in Washington follow traditional methods with Syrah, ageing the wine in small French, and sometimes American, oak barrels for often 14 months or longer. Many producers frequently limit their use of new oak compared to other varieties, with some recently using concrete fermenters and ageing the wines in neutral oak barrels and puncheons. Plantings: Washington s third most planted red grape A diversity of styles from dark fruit, such as blackberries, to blueberries, and cranberries as well as savory notes Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley 3,103 16,000