2022 Dauntless
* Pick-up orders for this wine may require up to 10 business days for processing. Please reach out to the tasting room in advance to confirm order readiness.
Tasting Notes
Our 2022 Dauntless is a Right Bank-inspired blend of 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of dark berries, sweet espresso, and cassis are complemented by subtle hints of roasted herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate unfolds flavors of blackberry jam, cherry juice, and smoked dates, finishing with refined tannins, balanced acidity, and lingering notes of smoked leather and savory oak. Enjoy this wine now through 2035, with its peak maturity expected around 2029. The Dauntless promises a captivating journey in every glass.
Awards
2022 Vintage
89+ Points, Vinous
92 Points, Paul Gregutt
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage in the Yakima Valley was a bit of a roller coaster. A mild winter extended into spring with early frost periods and winter-like conditions in April. The cool spring delayed bud break by a few weeks and caused delayed growth in the vineyard as we moved into summer. Each vineyard block was meticulously managed to ensure a ripe crop by harvest. We lowered clusters per vine and allowed for more sunlight exposure. By mid-July, temperatures finally started warming up and led to record growth in a short amount of time. Fortunately, warm summer temperatures extended into fall, helping to lengthen the growing season and allowing the grapes to continue to ripen. Harvest ended up being delayed approximately three weeks from a typical year. We gratefully did not experience any fall frost events, so the grapes had extended hang time on the vines to achieve optimal ripeness and excellent flavor development. Overall, the 2022 vintage displays ripe flavors, bountiful fruit aromas, and balanced acidity. The wines can be enjoyed in their youth, or they can cellar for many years to come.
Winemaking Notes
Our 2022 Dauntless is exclusively crafted from grapes grown in our estate vineyard, with each component carefully selected from blocks best suited to each varietal. This meticulous process aims to highlight vibrant red and dark fruit characteristics, balanced oak nuances, and soft tannins for a harmonious wine. Harvested at peak maturity in late October, the grapes were destemmed (but not crushed), sorted with an optical sorter, and then gently transferred to fermenters. After a 48-hour cold soak, fermentation began with multiple yeast strains. We used an aggressive extraction approach early on to capture color and flavor, transitioning to gentler methods as fermentation progressed to achieve a soft, lush finish while preserving balance and structure. Post-fermentation, the wine was transferred to French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation, with lees stirred biweekly for up to five months to enhance mouthfeel, build structure, and naturally soften the wine. The final blend was aged for 16 months in 100% French oak, consisting of 39% new, 25% 1 to 3-year-old, and 36% neutral barrels. The result is a refined wine showcasing depth, elegance, and a rich, silky texture.
* Produced in a Vegan Manner (No animal byproducts were used in the production of this wine)
Food Pairing
• Pork tenderloin stuffed with dried cherries, goat cheese, and fresh herbs
• Lamb sliders with mint aioli
• Beef Stroganoff with Cremini and Porcini Mushrooms
• Aged Cheddar or Gruyère
- Varietal Composition: 56% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Aging / Barrel Program: 16 months in 100% French Oak (39% new, 25% 1-3 year, 36% neutral)
- Cases Produced: 2,320
- Alcohol: 14.3
- pH: 3.80
- Acidity: 5.8 g/L
- Ageability: Now through 2035, with its peak maturity expected in 2029