Pursued by Bear Bear Cub 2018

Bear Cub Red from Kyle MacLachlan in Washington State, is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend with Merlot and Syrah first debuted in the 2016 vintage.   Grapes are selected from eight distinct vineyards, including sites located in the Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, Red Mountain and Walla Walla Valley. The grapes are hand-pruned throughout the growing season, and hand-harvested in the fall.  The Cabernet and Merlot grapes are whole-berry pressed, then gently fermented and aged in tight grain French oak barrels with thick staves to allow the fruit and oak to integrate slowly. Syrah, aged in 600L Taransaud puncheons, adds richness and depth to the mid-palate.  Aged for up to 28 months in barrel and 3 months in bottle prior to release.  

Black cherry and cola,  with hints of vanilla bean and shaved cocoa, fill the glass. Soft and lush on the midpalate, inviting dark fruit flavors, notably wild blackberry, blueberry pie and cassis, linger across a silky finish.  

Actor and Yakima native Kyle MacLachlan has been producing Pursued by Bear Cabernet Sauvignon for 10+ years, making top notch Washington State Cabernets and Syrahs. The project (which takes its cheeky name from a stage direction, "Exit, pursued by bear," in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale) was rooted in Kyle's birthplace of Yakima and his friendship with the late Eric Dunham, a great Washington State winemaker who inspired him to start the project. His wines are truly exciting, well-made, complex and a pleasure to drink.