Deep, refined and singing: how can anyone resist this? Lovely lifted cherry-raspberry fruits, a creamy character, floral notes, and a sweet oak finish. (Gold) - 2020 World Wine Awards
Blended with 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon displays a robust dark ruby colored core and emanates with aromas of black cherry skin, blackberry jus, dusty plum, red flowers and soft baking spices. Full-bodied, the wine is generous on the palate, with fine-grained tannins and lifting acidity, delivering flavors of mocha, cherry skin and a soft smoky essence. The wine continues to unpack and unfold across the mid-palate and ends with a long, lingering and dusty finish that continues with persistence. This was made with grapes from the Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval, Red Willow and Klipsun vineyards. Nicely done. Just over 22,000 bottles were produced.
A handsome red, well-built and multilayered, with deep currant, bitter mocha and dusky spice flavors that build richness toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030. 1,900 cases made.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse (91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot) comes from a handful of top sites on Red Mountain and was aged in 83% new barrels. Pure cassis, black cherries, and black raspberry fruits as well as lead pencil, graphite, and white flower notes all emerge from this classic Red Mountain Bordeaux blend that has medium to full-bodied richness, ripe yet certainly present tannins, terrific balance and purity, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming 15-20 years.
Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun and Obselisco fruit make up this wine. Aromas of vanilla, black coffee, dried herb, graphite, plum and dark cherry lead to a full, creamy-feeling, flavorful palate, intertwining fruit and barrel flavors. Coffee notes linger on the warm finish. A firm coil of slightly green tannins gives it support. Allow it some additional time in bottle. Best after 2023.
This is a rich, fruity red, showing lots of intensity with chocolate, hazelnut and ripe-fruit character. Full body. Juicy tannins. 91% cabernet sauvignon, 4% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drink now.
Bright ruby-red. Very dark scents of cassis, blueberry and licorice pastille, plus hints of tobacco leaf, eucalyptus and herbs. Dense, savory, juicy and rather suave; shows a fine-grained texture with good incipient sweetness and no hard edges. A very pliant yet lively Cabernet Sauvignon with sexy dark chocolate, licorice and mint notes. Finishes with smooth tannins, very good breadth and rising juicy length. An excellent showing, and in a good spot right now even if it will last well.
Winery Notes
Dead Horse offers lush, dark fruit on the nose mingled with eucalyptus, red currant, and plum. The palate presents dense flavors of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate, and hints of leather and slate with baking spices. Full-bodied with structured tannins, it balances integrated acidity with a lengthy finish.