Hogue Reserve
At Hogue, “Reserve” is more than just a word on a bottle. It's the designation we give our best wines, those that our viticulturists and winemakers pay the most attention to in the vineyard and the cellar. Hogue Reserve wines share the common profile of concentrated and layered fruit, structure and weight as well as elegance. The oak that frames the fruit and spice of the wine adds to the complexity and aging capacity.
Reserve Chardonnay
The Hogue winemakers only make reserve level wines from particular vineyard blocks and when the harvest produces grapes of unequaled quality and complexity. The wine is aged sur lies, and during the months of barrel aging it develops richness and complexity. The Hogue Reserve Chardonnay has aromas of intense pear and peach, cream, and well-integrated oak char. On the palate the wine is rich and creamy, with flavors of pear, vanilla, and smoke. On the finish are ripe pineapple and cream. This Chardonnay should pair well with richer seafood dishes such as Dungeness crab cakes or broiled king salmon.
Reserve Merlot
The Hogue Reserve Merlot is made from grapes grown in the warmer Wahluke and Alderdale growing regions. This Reserve Merlot epitomizes Washington State Merlot: earth, spice, leather and black olive aromas complemented by soft oak and ripe berry. Flavors are of dark chocolate and cream, intense raspberry fruit and herbal mint spice. It has great structure and mature tannins, with the fruit concentration necessary to age elegantly.
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
The Hogue Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a classically structured Bordeaux-style wine with ripe tannins. Aromas of bright cherry and an undercurrent of earth are followed by flavors of intense berry and cherry, and a pleasant hint of forest floor. The touch of oak is well integrated and contributes notes of cedar, spice, and vanilla. This complex wine has good length and depth in the finish and a balanced palate that only great wines can achieve.