2020 The Don
Tasting notes
More garnet in color, this Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend shows beautiful color intensity. The Don opens with concentrated aromas of bramble fruit, black tea, plum, and black currants. Swirling brings forth huckleberries, dark cherries, cinnamon, mint, violet floral aromas, dried sage and oregano, with hints of cigar box and coffee. The palate shows a bit more freshness on first impression and medium-full bodied with a sleek mouthfeel, firm tannins and vibrant acidity that provides great backbone. Pronounced flavors of plums, fig, and cherries dominate, evolving into earthiness, with a slightly meaty mid-palate and mineral notes that lead into a lengthy finish. Enjoy this popular Gård blend now or in the next 10 years.
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Varietal Composition | 75% Cab, 10% Syrah, 10% Merlot, 5% Malbec |
| Appellation | Royal Slope AVA |
| Designation | Lawrence Vineyards |
| PH | 3.8 |
| Alcohol | 13.80% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 1780 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | Washington |
91pts- Wine Spectator: A handsome red, refined and focused, with appealing black currant, pencil lead and bay leaf flavors that gather tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030. 1,728 cases made.—Tim Fish
Gård Vintners is 100% estate grown sustainably at Lawrence Vineyards in the Royal Slope AVA. Lawrence Vineyards features seven distinct vineyard sites with elevations ranging 930 feet to 1,675 feet. The combination of elevation and south-facing slope provides a great framework for grape production, while the diversity of the seven locations delivers a high level of complexity to Gård wines. Lawrence Vineyards is certified sustainable by Vinewise.org.
MATÍAS KÚSULAS
Winemaker & Viticulturist
A Chilean with Greek roots, Matías was a Marine officer and Naval Engineer in Chile for more than seven years when he realized that it was time to change the course of his career: In 2005, he started studying Agricultural Engineering at the University of Chile, where he graduated with distinction and a major in Viticulture and Enology. He worked in Chile for a few years and in 2011 he decided to start traveling the world on a quest to learn new wine-making techniques. After several harvests in Oceania, Europe and Africa, he settled down in France, to do his post degrees at the Universities of Bordeaux and Montpellier. He also performed for two years as a Maître de Chai for one of the oldest and most reputable wineries in Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie.
After years of traveling and over 15 harvests, he came to the United States and joined Gård Vintners/Lawrence Vineyards as a Production Winemaker and Viticulturist, and is currently head winemaker for Gård Vintners, Desert Wind Winery, Valo Cellars, and his own label, Massalto. In his spare time he likes to jump out of planes and is a Judo Black Belt.
