Mullan Road Cellars was founded in 2012 by Dennis Cakebread of the renowned Cakebread Cellars winery in Napa Valley. A 40-year veteran of the wine trade, Dennis embarked on a mission to make a world-class Washington State wine embodying the rich history and terroir of the Northwest. Mullan Road Cellars is named for Lieutenant John Mullan, a 19th-century pioneer who built the first wagon road into eastern Washington. Its winemaker is Aryn Morrell, a Washington native who spent years making wine in Napa Valley with prestigious wineries such as Silver Oak Cellars, Joseph Phelps, Quintessa and Chappellet before returning to Washington in 2007. The grapes for Mullan Road Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon come from several outstanding, low-yielding vineyards in the Columbia Valley, including the famed Seven Hills Vineyard, as well as Stillwater Creek Vineyard and the Corfu Crossing Vineyard outside Royal City, in the newly designated Royal Slope appellation.

91 Points
Wine Spectator
2020 vintage
91 Points
VinousMedia.com
2019 vintage
Tasting Note

This complex Cabernet Sauvignon wine reveals sultry aromas of muddled red fruits, raspberry, and dried strawberry with hints of light baking spices. Swirling brings up notes of crème brûlée with black tea, mocha, and cocoa powder. The palate is round and polished, with black currants and plum puree accented by vanilla bean and balanced by fine tannins. Hints of dark chocolate and pressed berries linger on the finish.

Unique Selling Points
  • Fruit comes from famed vineyards primarily in newly designated Royal Slope AVA
  • This small-production, age-worthy, elegant Cabernet showcases the best of Royal Slope
  • Winemaker Aryn Morell is a WA native with extensive experience in WA and Napa Valley

Vineyard Details

Seven Hills Vineyard
Seven Hills, located along the southern edge of the Walla Walla AVA, is one of the most recognized vineyards in Washington. With an elevation of 850 to 1,050 feet, the site has excellent soil and air drainage and is one of the most technologically advanced in the industry. The vertically trained canopy, controlled cluster spacing and sunlight exposure generates uniform fruit ripeness. Soil moisture is monitored daily by computer with sophisticated drip irrigation scheduled to augment vine development yet limit excessive canopy growth. Yields are strictly controlled to assure ultra-premium quality.
Stillwater Creek Vineyard
Stillwater Creek is an award-winning Columbia Valley vineyard located on a steep, south-facing rise on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills. It is best known for its innovative vineyard management and one of the most diverse clone selections in Washington State. The site’s fractured rock and extreme southern exposure are ideal for reds, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

About the Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is adaptable to various growing conditions, and is known for its low yield and late ripeness. It generally produces full-bodied wines with substantial acidity and tannins.
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