Red Willow Vineyard 1973 Block Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 8–20 years from vintage release, as the robust structure and old-vine concentration allow it to age gracefully.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted rack of lamb, braised beef short ribs
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Red Willow Vineyard, located in the far western corner of the Yakima Valley, is a legendary site in Washington viticultural history. Planted by Mike Sauer starting in the 1970s under the guidance of Dr. Walter Clore, it represents some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the state. Owen Roe's '1973 Block' bottling pays homage to these ancient, deep-rooted vines. The block sits on a steep, south-facing hillside with ancient, well-drained soils composed of silt loam and gravel. This unique terroir, combined with the vine age, produces a Cabernet Sauvignon of remarkable depth, structural complexity, and elegance. The wine is celebrated for its classic old-school profile, showcasing dark fruit, dried herbs, graphite, and the signature dusty tannins of the Yakima Valley, refined through careful French oak aging.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1999 by winemaker David O'Reilly and co-founder Jerry Owen, Owen Roe is a highly acclaimed Pacific Northwest winery dedicated to producing exceptional, terroir-driven wines from Washington and Oregon. Named after the historic 17th-century Irish patriot Owen Roe O'Neill, the winery operates its estate vineyard and production facility at 309 Shipley Rd, Granger, WA 98932, United States, in the heart of the Yakima Valley, while sourcing fruit from legendary sites like DuBrul, Red Willow, and Seven Hills. Owen Roe's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention, utilizing small-batch fermentations and meticulous French oak aging to craft expressive, structurally complex wines. They are particularly celebrated for their bold, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, northern Rhône-style Syrahs like Ex Umbris, and creative blends such as Sinister Hand and Abbot's Table. More information can be found on their official website at https://www.owenroe.com.