2022 Grosgrain Estate Cabernet estate spotlight
The market on this bottle
Top score is James Suckling on this vintage, never a Wine-Searcher aggregate.
2022 Grosgrain Walla Walla Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Matt Austin's first 100 percent estate Cabernet, 1,400 feet on the Oregon side of Walla Walla, James Suckling 96, twenty-seven on two or more.
Kelly Austin designed the label. Matt Austin made the wine. This is Grosgrain's first Cabernet from 100 percent of their own fruit, grown at 1,400 feet, the highest vineyard in the AVA. Shallow silt over cracked volcanic basalt. James Suckling scored it 96. Two or more are $27 a bottle. A single bottle is $49.
First estate Cabernet. Highest vineyard in the valley.
Matt used to play punk guitar, then practiced tax law, then hated it. Kelly was a fashion designer in Los Angeles with no plan to run a vineyard. They won a rundown Walla Walla property at auction. This 2022 is the first Cabernet Sauvignon they have bottled from 100 percent of that estate fruit. Decanter called 2022 the coolest, longest Washington season since 2011, and the wines fresh, elegant, and age worthy. James Suckling put 96 points on this bottle. Two or more are $27.
The tasting room sits at Old Milton Vineyard on Half Acre Lane, five acres at 785 feet. The Cabernet fruit for this bottle comes from the later 80-acre Grosgrain Vineyard in SeVein, a south-facing peak of the Vansycle basalt ridge. Organic farming. Wines of freshness and elegance. Kelly designed the ribbed-fabric label as a nod to rows of vines and her years in fashion.
The house
Matt and Kelly Austin. Grosgrain Vineyard, Oregon side of Walla Walla Valley.
The wine
75% Cabernet, 13% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc. 22 months, 39% new French oak. 13.6%.
The score
James Suckling 96. Iodine, leather, red fruit. Succulent tannins.
The table
Lamb, mushrooms, a Saturday roast. A Cabernet you can open without a speech.
96 points, James Suckling
Named critics only. No shop names. No aggregate score in the corner.
Red currant first. Then the iodine.
Bright red currant, ripe mulberry, cedar box, toasted spice, and a streak of crushed pencil shaving. Medium-bodied, fine-grained tannins. Suckling's note is the lock: earthy mineral, leather, red fruit, crunchy and delicious.
22 months in 39% new French oak. 13.6% alcohol.
Iodine, leather, and red fruit. Medium-bodied. Fresh, crunchy, and delicious, with very fine succulent tannins.
Bright red currant, ripe mulberry, cedar box, toasted spice, and a streak of crushed pencil shaving. Medium-bodied, fine-grained tannins. Suckling's note is the lock: earthy mineral, leather, red fruit, crunchy and delicious.
Serve near 62 F for reds, colder for whites. A short decant if the note asks for air.
Matt Austin
The vineyard sits at 1,400 feet on the Oregon side of Walla Walla Valley. Shallow silt over cracked volcanic basalt. Brutal wind. Tiny berries, thick skins, real structure. The 2022 is 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 percent Merlot, 12 percent Cabernet Franc, aged 22 months in French oak, 39 percent new. Alcohol 13.6 percent. Matt Austin is the winemaker. Kelly designed the barcode-stripe label herself.
2022 Grosgrain Estate Cabernet
Grosgrain is a Walla Walla estate built by two people who did not start in wine. Matt Austin left a tax desk. Kelly Austin left fashion. The property came at auction. The 2022 Cabernet is the first one grown entirely on their own fruit. That is the bottle on this page.
Casa Grosgrain is the four-bedroom house on the Old Milton property. The 2022 Cabernet is the first estate bottling from 100 percent of their own fruit at 1,400 feet.
What to put on the table
Food only. No bottles on the plate.
Reds near 62 F in a proper glass. Whites colder. A 20 to 40 minute decant when the tannins ask for it.
Food52 cooks lamb rack. A cooking video for the pairing, not a winery film.
Roast lamb rack
Lamb and red fruit. The tannins have the grip for it.
View Recipe for Rosemary garlic rack of lamb (opens in a new tab)
Wild mushrooms
Iodine and leather in the glass. Earth on the plate.
View Recipe for Sauteed mushrooms (opens in a new tab)James Suckling 96 on Grosgrain's first estate Cabernet. $27 when you take two.
Matt Austin's first 100 percent estate Cabernet, 1,400 feet on the Oregon side of Walla Walla, James Suckling 96, twenty-seven on two or more.
Two or more are $27 each. A single bottle is $49. Twelve bottles ship free.
