2007 STEVENSXY Like in past vintages, we’ve picked out some of our juiciest barrels for this blend. Multiple vineyards always play a role, but one lot has consistently been the backbone throughout the years, Dineen Vineyard Catherine’s Block. Our rows are at the crest of the hill where the soil is very shallow, which in turn produces very low yields with miniscule berries. The result is a dense, intense and multi layered wine. Sheridan and Meek vineyards also played a role in the ’07 blend by adding dark fruit and earthly finesse. The wine was aged in 85% new French oak for 20 months. We produced 304 cases.
Wine Spectator December 15 Issue 93 Points
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Yakima Valley XY Reserve : $42
Complex and powerful, delivering a lot of flavor on a sleek, racy frame. The red berry, black currant and cherry fruit picks up whiffs of violet and wet stone as it zips across refined tannins to a long finish. Best from 2012 through 2020. 304 cases made. –HS
Wine Enthusiast December 2010 Issue 94 Points
Stevens 2007 XY Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley); $42.
Top lots from Sheridan, Dineen and Meek vineyard grapes go into this reserve. This is always the most thick and dense of the Stevens wines, and the tannins, though very well managed, are chewy and substantial. They dominate this young wine, but the stacked and subtle layers of red and black fruits, leaf and forest floor materials, moist earth and ashes keep the flavors complex and interesting. This wine absolutely must be decanted, and can be cellared almost indefinitely. Cellar Selection. - P.G.
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