When the late Lance Baer launched his Woodinville , Wash., winery while working at DeLille Cellars, his proprietary Arctos blend — based on Cabernet Sauvignon — became the second wine in his portfolio. His sister, Lisa Baer, their father, Les, and winemaking talent Erica Orr continue to honor those wishes. Stillwater Creek Vineyard, the estate planting for acclaimed Novelty Hill, serves as the birthplace for this entire blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (84%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot. There’s significant investment in the barreling too, a blend of 79% new French oak from coopers such as Demptos, Saury, Sylvain and Taransaud. Some classic aromas hinting at a Left Bank Bordeaux emerge as cassis and red cherry include pouch of fresh pipe tobacco and cedar. Black cherry and plum flavors come with plum skin tannins and pomegranate juice, leading to bittersweet chocolate in the farewell of this cellar-worthy bottling.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 607 cases
Alcohol: 14.8%
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