2022 Pollard Yakima Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Pollard Vineyard sits 1,100–1,300 feet above the Yakima River on gravelly, basalt-speckled loam—prime terroir for structured yet vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon.
Estate vines, planted in 1998, bask in long Eastern-Washington days yet cool rapidly after sunset, preserving pitch-perfect acidity. 2022 saw a warm, even growing season; berries ripened slowly, harvesting the first week of October with compact clusters and thick skins.
Hand-sorted fruit fermented on native yeasts in small stainless tanks; twice-daily pulse-air cap management teased out color and supple tannin without over-extraction. Free-run wine aged 18 months in 25 % new French barrels from Taransaud and François Frères, gaining cedar perfume and silk-glove texture while keeping fruit purity front and center.
The finished cuvée shows classic Yakima Valley poise: dense blackcurrant, plum, and kirsch layered with dried sage, graphite, and a dusting of cocoa. Medium-plus body (14.1 % abv) rides brisk acidity and fine, river-stone tannins to a long, dry, mineral-lined finish. Decant 30 minutes for immediate pleasure or cellar 5–7 years for savory breadth.

Nose: Blackcurrant, ripe cherry, and violet mingle with cedar shavings, sagebrush, and pencil-lead minerality.

Palate: Juicy blackberry and dark plum glide across finely knit tannins, sparked by cacao nib, clove, and a touch of mint.

Finish: Long, dry finale echoes cassis, crushed basalt, and sweet-spice warmth, leaving the palate clean and poised.

Elevates rosemary-crusted lamb racks, espresso-rubbed flank steak, or portobello mushrooms stuffed with herbed farro—the wine’s ripe fruit, savory herb, and polished tannin weave seamlessly with richly flavored dishes.