2018 Block 1311
Managing Partner Damon Huard: Block 1311 is the first ever vineyard designated Cabernet made by Passing Time. This beautiful 2 acre block sits about 300 feet above the Columbia River at Wallula Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills Appellation. Planted to high density with special clone 685 these young vines are producing world class fruit already that winemaker Chris Peterson wanted to let stand alone. This annual small batch offering will be a wine to follow for decades to come. Salute’ to the Benches!
This single-block beauty impresses immediately with brooding aromas of dark black currants, dried wild herbs, and baker’s chocolate. This wine is immense and palate-coating with concentrated black currant liqueur, mocha powder, fresh-cut tobacco, and a dark asphalt note, all leading to a finish that’s all density but also balanced. This wine will reward a few years in the cellar and drink till, who knows—20 years easily. A blockbuster wine that shows what this site is capable of in a special vintage.
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Wallula Vineyard "The Benches"
Aging: 80% new French oak
Production: 125 cases
95 Points by Jeb Dunnuck
"Coming from a single block of the Benches Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Block 1311 offers a singular style with an exotic bouquet of blue fruits, lavender, and leafy herbs. This carries to a full-bodied, ripe, straight-up sexy Cabernet with an expansive texture, loads of tannins, and a big finish. It’s one of the more primordial barrels samples here and is a touch unformed, but man, it has potential."
- Tasting Date April 15, 2020
94 - 96 Points by Wine Advocate
"Expressive and tight, the quality and focus of the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Block 1311 are there, but it’s hard to get a good read on it at this point. There’s a lot going on with tight tannins and big, tart, spiced fruit. It’s still finding its balance, and I will reserve my predictions. I have no doubt this will age for more than a decade and imagine that if the fruit can absorb the oak and integrate seamlessly by the time the bottle is officially released, my final score will put it among the top of their range."
- October 2020 Issue
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