2019 THE FUNK Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 THE FUNK
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation

Walla Walla Valley
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater

Vineyard

Funk Estate Vineyard, located on the apex of the alluvial fan that makes up The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, is distinguished by alluvial soils, consisting of basalt pebbles, cobbles and boulders washed from the Blue Mountains.

This very special site contains everything necessary to grow vineyard-designate wines with a strong sense of place: cobbly soils, ideal elevation, gentle sloping aspect, precision water control, meticulous canopy management, and a warm, but not too hot macroclimate.

Funk Estate Vineyard is certified LIVE and Salmon Safe. LIVE certification assures that this wine was crafted with the most advanced standards for sustainable grape growing and winemaking.

Fermentation

The grapes were cold soaked for 5 days prior to fermentation. At the start of fermentation, pulsed air was injected into the fermenters, in addition to pump-overs. Upon active fermentation, pump-overs and punch-downs were performed two to three times per day by hand. The overall duration of the contact time of the wine with the skins ranged from 12 to 22 days. The young wine was transferred to French oak barrels to complete fermentation.

Aging

18 months in French oak barrels. 60% New. The best barrels of the vintage were selected and bottled. The bottled wine was aged 19 months prior to release.

Winemaker’s Notes

The release of our first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from Funk Estate Vineyard marks a milestone that has been in our sights and on our minds for a very long time. With laser-like focus, considerable thought, precise execution, and a bit of luck, we offer this stellar wine for your enjoyment.

THE FUNK Estate Cabernet Sauvignon checks all the boxes for world-class quality! Cabernet Sauvignon thrives under certain conditions in the vineyard, and when combined with our two plus decades of winemaking expertise, the result is this very special vineyard-designate wine:

Well-Drained Soils: Funk Estate Vineyard soils are well-drained alluvium and, while consisting of small fractions of silt, sand, gravel, it is primarily cobbles and boulders washed out of the Blue Mountains.
Warm…Not Hot Weather: Cabernet loves sunny, warm weather. This vineyard site is not too hot, so the grapes ripen slowly, allowing for full development of the flavors and color.
Balance: Due to consistent soil conditions and water availability throughout the block, every vine ripens together harmoniously.
Temperature Shifts: The location of this vineyard delivers ideal temperature shift between daytime high and nighttime low temperatures during the final stages of ripening which maintains refreshing acidity.
Fruit Composition: Clusters are characterized by extraordinarily small berry size which gives us a high skin-to-juice ratio, providing concentrated flavors and aromas. Fruit is handpicked and hand sorted.
Experience: 23 years of winemaking and winegrowing experience guided our decisions with clarity, vision, and focus as we nurtured this wine from vineyard to bottle.

Crafted with a true sense of place, the 2019 THE FUNK Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is lush, concentrated, refined, and built to age gracefully in your cellar for a decade or more.

94 Points
Stony and earthy, the 2019 ‘The Funk Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from this ten-acre property set on cobblestones in The Rocks AVA of Milton-Freewater. Once on the nose this shows beautiful aromatic complexity with red rose petals that combine with Hoisin sauce, Nori and smoked brisket. The palate is fresh and soft with a plush sense of mouthfeel and great sense of acidity holding things in place. Bright red and dark fruits mingle with citrus rind, wet stone and Umami flavors, with stony undercurrents. The glorious finish caps off this beautiful new bottling by Richard Funk. Complex and delicious to savor now, this has another decade in front of it. Drink 2022-2032.

93 Points
Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new oak, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Funk Estate Vineyard sports a deep purple/ruby hue to go with a pure, modern bouquet of cassis, tobacco, and lead pencil, with ample classy, integrated oak and chocolaty nuances. It’s rich, medium to full-boded, has ripe tannins, and a balanced, elegant style that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age. It’s a rock-solid, seriously good wine.