2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Estate Grown

• Varieties:
  100% Cabernet Sauvignon
  
• Appellation:
  Templeton Gap District - Paso Robles
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.5
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.7%
• Acidity:
  0.70 g/100ml
• pH:
  3.43
• Residual sugar:
  0.01g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  September 23, 2025
• Cases produced:
  250
• Retail Price:
  $ 38.00

Growing conditions:
Finally! Mother nature ended the drought with 200% of normal rainfall, Combined with a cool spring and warm (not hot) summer led to the latest harvest ever at Victor Hugo! Judicious thinning allowed the grapes to be harvested at optimum maturity producing beautiful wines.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into a stainless rotary fermentor. 48 hours later, the must was inoculated with D-80 yeast then rotated hourly for 12 days prior to pressing. After completion of malo-lactic fermentation, this cabernet sauvignon was aged for 23 months in French and Hungarian oak prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
Intense aromas of red plum, black cherry and dark chocolate with wisps of cinnamon are complimented by a background of subtle oak. Rich flavors with layers of large, soft tannins interlocking with complex oak tannins for a long, elegant finish.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable now, this Cabernet Sauvignon will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 4-8 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2030-2039.

Food selection:
This elegant wine will compliment a large array of food dishes but is best with filet, pork loin, and chocolate desserts.