A few quick thoughts on the 2016 Hedges In Vogue Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain.
The Geekery
Hedges Family Estate was founded in 1987 by Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges. Originally in the produce industry, they got involved with wine to supply a contact’s request in Sweden for Washington wine. In 1989, the Hedges purchased fifty acres on Red Mountain. Construction of the chateau that now sits in the middle of their vineyards began in 1995.
In Washington Wines, Paul Gregutt notes that Hedges Family Estate is the largest family-owned winery in Washington State. Firmly established on Red Mountain, the Hedges family were one of the strongest advocates for the region getting recognized as an AVA in 2001.
Tom’s brother, Pete, was the first winemaker at Hedges with the Hedges’ daughter, Sarah Hedges Goedhart, joining as assistant winemaker in 2006 and taking over head winemaking duties on Pete’s retirement in 2015.
Sarah started in the wine industry at Santa Barbara Winery before moving to Sonoma to work at Preston Farm & Winery in the Dry Creek Valley. Here she was introduced to the principles of biodynamics.
Hedges has been farming their estate fruit sustainably since 2003 but in 2008 began converting their vineyards to biodynamics. By 2015, 40% of their 125 acres of vines were certified Biodynamic by the Demeter Association.
The Wine
Medium intensity nose with dark fruit and oak spice though neither are very defined at this point.
This young wine has a basket of dark fruit that will develop beautifully.
On the palate, you get the richness of the dark fruit and smoothness of the oak vanilla. But, again, neither are very defined. Medium-plus acidity and high tannins highlight the big, robust structure of this wine. This certainly suggests some nice aging and development potential. Moderate length finish.
The Verdict
The 2016 Hedges In Vogue Cabernet Sauvignon is super young but has all the ingredients to develop well over the next couple years.
At around $30, it’s on the low end for a Red Mountain Cab from a top estate so this potentially could develop into quite a steal. Worth revisiting in at least 6 months.