We are focused on crafting exceptional wines from our estate grown Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. We believe that minimal handling and manipulation of our grapes and wine yields the purest expression of Detert Family Vineyard’s unique terroir. To that end, we hand pick and sort every cluster of grapes. We allow natural fermentation of the must in the tank, and malolactic fermentation in barrel. We press our wines directly into a mix of new and one-, two-, and three-year old French oak barrels.
The 2008 Detert Cabernet Franc is one of the most approachable and plush textured Cabernet Francs we’ve made. It is similar in profile to the 2003 Detert Cabernet Franc which was also immediately pleasurable and drinkable on release.
The 2008 has distinctive aromas of dark chocolate, sage, black cherry, and notes of violets and peppercorn. The palate texture is soft, lush and mouth filling with flavors ranging across bittersweet chocolate, blackberry and cassis notes to mineral, graphite and baking spices. The finish is long, echoing the mineral, dark chocolate, dark berry flavors and spice notes. Rich and delicious now but will continue to improve with cellaring until 2020. 464 Cases Produced
The 2008 Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous, mid-weight wine layered with expressive dark fruit, smoke, licorice and sweet herbs. It shows fabulous balance and tons of harmony in an understated style that is very appealing. Smoke, herbs and crushed flowers round out the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2023. 91 Points
The small block of Cabernet Sauvignon at Detert was planted in 1999 (in comparison to the Cabernet Franc blocks which date to 1979 and 1989). The vines are now showing some maturity and greater complexity – as we’d expect around their 10th birthday. We’ve had some wonderful Cabernet vintages but this definitely ranks with my favorites. Like the 2008 Cabernet Franc, the flavors are open and accessible now – but will certainly improve over the next 10 years.
The 2008 Detert Cabernet Sauvignon shows intriguing notes of lavender layered over rich cassis, blackberry and mineral aromas. In the mouth this is smooth, plush, concentrated and palate coating – full of dark chocolate, blackberry, boysenberry and cassis over mineral, earth and toffee notes. Dense, rich and seductive with a long finish where the dark fruits and baking chocolate flavors linger. 102 Cases Produced
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is another impressive wine. Blackberries, cassis, tar, smoke and licorice are some of the nuances that emerge from this classically built, structured Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2008 boasts striking inner perfume and fabulous length, while avoiding any sense of heaviness. It is a fabulous wine, and reasonably priced, too. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. 93 Points