2013 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
96 POINTS
The Wine Advocate, June 2016
"One of the stars of the vintage is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from winemaker Chris Peterson. Chris commented that the Cabernet Sauvignon from the Discovery Vineyard excelled in the vintage, so they didn't blend in any Klipsun Merlot; the final blend is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged 20 months in 80% new French oak. This flat out fabulous 2013 gives up lots of cassis, leafy herbs, sweet oak and licorice as well as full-bodied richness, a layered, concentrated mid-palate, and more texture and richness than just about every other wine in the vintage. Give bottles 2-3 years of cellaring and drink through 2033."
- Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate, June 2016
93 POINTS / EDITOR'S CHOICE
Wine Enthusiast, July 2016
"Discovery Vineyard Cab makes up most of this wine, with just a splash of Champoux vineyard Franc to fill it out. Very pretty, very focused aromas of spice box, red and black fruit and herb are followed by a fruit-forward, shamelessly appealing yet still elegant, balanced palate that puts a premium on purity, with a well integrated structure surrounding it all."
- Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast, July 2016
92-94+ POINTS
Wine Advocate, June 2015
"A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon comes mostly from the Mays Discovery Vineyard (the Cab Franc is all from Champoux) and offers up textbook cassis, lead pencil shavings, currants and smoke. Inky colored, full-bodied, voluptuous, dense and serious, with sensational purity of fruit, this beauty will be approachable with short-term cellaring, and keep for two decades.
This joint venture between football stars Damon Huard and Dan Marino, with the wines made by Chris Peterson of Avennia, is making one serious, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon."
- Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate, June 2015
92 POINTS
Vinous, November 2015
"Dark ruby. Bitter chocolate, blueberry, licorice on the nose. Wonderfully plush and juicy in the mouth, showing a darker fruit character than the 2012 version. This very well-balanced wine, aged in 80% new French oak, shows a bright, leafy finish. (Winemaker Damon Huard told me that he eliminated the Klipsun component in 2013 as he found it less concentrated than the others.)"
- Steven Tanzer, Vinous, November 2015
Tasting Note:
The 2013 Passing Time is a dark and brooding beast, opaque purple out to the rim. The nose is filled with dark fruits: pure, focused black cherry, blackberry, currant, espresso, and a hint of crushed lavender. This wine is rich and lush on the entry, with great weight in the mid-palate. Flavors of dusty vanilla, cacao, deep dark fruits, and mountain flowers lead to a long, structured finish. This wine should be delicious upon release and cellar well for a decade and more.
FUTURES PROGRAM
Each year in April we will release Passing Time and you can reserve your allocation of each vintage.
By signing up now, you can secure the 2013 Passing Time Cabernet at the 2012 retail price ($75) and ensure you have wine reserved. And, of course, you will receive an invitation to all upcoming events and tastings as well as the release pick up event for each vintage in April. Your credit card will be charged upon receiving your sign up details below. You will be contacted in each March with pick up or shipping options. For questions, email admin@passingtime.com.