2018 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting notes: Of all the Passing Time wines, the Walla Walla Cabernet has tended to feature Cabernet exclusively. In the classic 2018, this wine features a deep blue and black fruit character, with hints of blackberry leaf, baker’s chocolate, and crushed herbs. Featuring fruit from Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge vineyards—two locales with very different characters—this wine balances the power and structure of the Pepper Bridge site, with the beautiful elegance and bouquet of the Seven Hills vineyard. The resulting blend features the tell-tale balance of Passing Time’s style while also expressing the profound depth and balance of the incredible 2018 vintage.
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyards: 62% Seven Hills Cabernet, 38% Pepper Bridge Cabernet
Aging: 60% New French Oak
97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Another one of the top wines in the vintage is the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley, which is all Cabernet sourced from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyard. It spent 21 months in 60% new French oak. Gorgeous tobacco, bouquet garni, lavender, and a hint of menthol emerge from the glass, and it has loads and red and black fruits, full-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It’s as seamless as they come yet will still benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and should have 30 years of longevity.
95 Points - Wine Advocate
Exploding from the glass, the 2018 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has certainly filled in its shoes since the last time I tasted it. Generous, expressive and juicy, aromas of blackberry juice, spiced cherry compote and chocolate-covered blueberries sway with elegant oak tones of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Full-bodied, the wine offers bold and rich flavors of bitter dark chocolate, crème de cassis, Chambord, elegant oak expressions and fine-grained tannins. The wine continues to evolve with persistence and elegance on the finish, lasting for more than a minute on the aftertaste. The wine rested for 21 months in 60% new French oak. Run, don't walk to get some of this into your cellar. Only 4,500 bottles were produced. Bravo, touchdown! Anthony Mueller, July 2021
94 Points/Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast
This is all Cabernet, with 62% of the fruit coming from Seven Hills and the rest from Pepper Bridge. The aromas are captivating, with notes of thyme, plum, bay leaf, high cacao chocolate and black cherry. The palate packs a wallop of tightly wound fruit and brawny tannins. Patience and time in the cellar are absolutely required. Best after 2028. SEAN P. SULLIVAN, June 2021