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THE ILLUSIONIST CABERNET SAUVIGNON
gourmet pairings
Pair the Illusionist with a
nice, well-marbled, prime or
wagyu ribeye steak, potato
skins crammed full of bacon,
cheddar cheese, and sour
cream, and a generous
helping of great music; we
recommend some mid-60s
Rolling Stones, say, maybe "Aftermath," followed by Side One of
Pearl Jam's Vitalogy.
tasting notes
The Illusionist is dark, savory, and full-bodied, while remaining
balanced and elegant. It is compelling, filled with aromas of
cedar, tobacco, graphite, and a hint of fennel and vanilla. Dark
notes of blackberry and cassis explode on entry, quickly followed
by dark cherry and savory herbal flavors that linger for an
extended finish.
winemaker's insight
The Illusionist's tannins are fine-grained and well-integrated.
Most years, the Cabernet Sauvignon is enhanced with small
percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot depending on
the expressions of each varietal for the vintage. Fermentation
occurs in large oak tanks and smaller 1.5-ton stainless-steel
fermenters before going to barrel. We are focused on letting
the grapes shine, without excess interference from either the
winemaking team or the oak.
awarDs anD DistinCtions
93 points – Wine Advocate
95 Points – Wine Spectator,
APPELLATION: Columbia Valley
COMPOSITION: Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of
Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
MATURATION: Aged 20 months in 60% new French oak
CELLARING: Drink over the next 15-20 years
TECHNICAL DATA
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