Wautoma Springs 'Behemoth' Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington

Cocoa powder, espresso, and black cherry lead into violet, fresh rosemary, and an intriguing note of toasted sesame, balancing dark concentration with aromatic lift. The 2021 Wautoma Springs 'Behemoth' Cabernet Sauvignon is a tiny-production reserve wine made entirely from Clone 8 Cabernet Sauvignon grown at Wautoma Springs Vineyard, with élevage in 100% French oak, 75% new. Just 89 cases were produced, capturing winemaker Jessica Munnell and grape grower Tom Merkle's powerful yet nuanced interpretation of Cabernet Sauvignon with round, powder-fine tannins and balanced acidity.

Product Details:

• Winemaker & Co-Owner: Jessica Munnell
• Grape Grower & Co-Owner: Tom Merkle
• Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Clone: Clone 8
• Vineyard: Wautoma Springs Vineyard
• Oak Aging: 100% French oak, 75% new
• ABV: 14.5%
• pH: 3.83
• Total Acidity: 0.55
• Case Production: 89 cases

Sensory Description:

Black cherry provides the dark-fruited center, surrounded by cocoa powder and espresso tones that give the wine a deep, roasted complexity. Violet introduces a floral lift, while fresh rosemary adds an herbal edge and toasted sesame contributes an unusual savory accent. The palate is rich and substantial yet composed, with round, powder-fine tannins and balanced acidity carrying the dark fruit, floral character, and savory detail through a structured finish.

Winemaker’s Background:

Wautoma Springs is the partnership of winemaker Jessica Munnell and second-generation grape grower Tom Merkle, whose complementary experience links vineyard management directly to small-production winemaking. Merkle planted Wautoma Springs Vineyard in 1999 and has spent decades farming and managing vineyards across Washington, while Munnell built her career across both viticulture and winemaking before the two established Wautoma Springs together in 2008. Their wines are shaped by specific vineyards and varieties, with Merkle's work in the vineyard informing Munnell's decisions in the cellar. Behemoth represents the most concentrated side of that approach, a reserve Cabernet Sauvignon produced from Clone 8 vines at their namesake vineyard and made in only 89 cases for the 2021 vintage. Its name comes from Behemoth, the intelligent, mischievous black cat in Mikhail Bulgakov's novel The Master and Margarita, a reference chosen to reflect a Cabernet that combines imposing scale and dark intensity with floral detail and an unexpectedly elegant side.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 16 to 18 degrees Celsius in a large Cabernet or Bordeaux-style glass. Decanting for 45 to 60 minutes will give the concentrated fruit, rosemary, violet, espresso, and substantial French oak more room to unfold. Pair with rib eye, grilled or braised beef, lamb chops, short ribs, rosemary-roasted meats, wild mushrooms, or aged hard cheeses. The wine's dark fruit and fine tannins can accommodate rich cuts of meat, while its herbal and floral dimensions make dishes seasoned with rosemary or other savory herbs particularly effective partners.