Wine Advocate, August 2007

Review

Review Highlights

88

Publication:
The Wine Advocate

Issue:
August 2007

Release:
2004 Eighteen Below

Reviewers Score: 88

The 2004 18 Degrees Below “Canoe Ridge Vineyard” refers to the winter freeze that wiped out all but the high elevation fruit and buried vines in the Walla Walla AVA Most producers were forced to purchase fruit from outside Walla Walla in order to make wine in 2004. Large grape growers such as Saint-Michelle       and Canoe Ridge proved to be generous to their colleagues in agreeing to sell fruit. Gifford Hirlinger’s 2004 comes from the Canoe Ridge Vineyard and is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. It yields plenty of toasty oak, blackberry and black cherry aromas and flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, it has plenty of forward, supple fruit and ripe tannins in its fleshy personality. Drink this tasty, well-priced Cabernet over the next 6-8 years.