2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Tasting Notes
Aromas of dark fruit, pepper, spice and blueberries. We recommend decanting for an hour. Flavors of currant, blackberry with hints of mocha and vanilla. Youthful medium tannins with balanced acidity will pair nicely with a holiday roast or roasted butternut squash in duck fat.
Harvested in the late portion of the season, we rely on both chemical analysis and flavor analysis to determine ripeness. The cabernet sauvignon clusters were hand harvested, hand sorted, destemmed and lightly crushed.
We only use gravity to move the crushed grapes and juice. No pressed wine is used in making the Moonspell. The free run juice is barrel aged for 18 months, thoughtfully blended by our winemaking team and bottled.
Specs
Vintage: 2016
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley AVA
Vineyards: 28% Bergevin Springs Vineyards, 57% Les Collines Vineyard (Walla Walla Valley), 15% Stone Tree Vineyards (Wahluke Slope)
Aging: 18 Months in 2% New Oak
Barrels: 14% French & 8% American, the balance in neutral oak.
Bottled: 6-20-2018
Alcohol: 14.6%
Cases Produced: 1597
Winemaker: Dave Harvey
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Case:
12x 2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Established in 2002 by two friends pursuing a shared dream. Bergevin Lane Winery nurtures wines that embody the truly unique environment of Walla Walla, Columbia and Yakima Valleys and the distinct single vineyards from where the rich terrestrial wines come from.
Our goal is to design wines that are well-balanced, fruit forward and structured so that they may be cellared or enjoyed immediately.
The vision that we share is to create elegant-styled wines that reflect harmony between fruit and oak. Stylistically, we make wines that reflect the unique terroir attributes, while maintaining integrity to the varietal characteristics. Some of our favorite adjectives for our wines include: food friendly, fruit-driven, structured and smooth… And simply put, wines that all can enjoy for any occasion.
We make wines of sizzle and mood. Wines that can muscle for your affection, or drink like a dash of glitter across an elegant shoulder.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $139.99 $11.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
My wife and I are tasting in Walla Walla this week and were supposed to visit this winery but had to cancel. Since I haven’t had a bad Cabernet here yet I bought a case. Cheers!
@mikepav We’re sorry we missed you guys! We opened our new tasting room downtown Walla Walla and we love it! We’ll look forward to seeing you on your next visit! Thanks for the kind words!
@mikepav We hope to see you next time you’re in town! Meanwhile, thanks for the support and be sure to follow us on social media too for events & specials & interesting anecdotes from Walla Walla wine life!
Tonight’s Rattage: 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Moonspell) by Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Walla Walla Valley, WA.
Dark intense semi opaque color. Big nose out of the bottle with dark plum filling the air immediately. As it opens up, the plum ripens a little, adding ripe dark cherry, a touch of wet soil and wood creates the essence of damp forest floor. You’d likely miss it, but a very faint honey beeswax emerges towards the back. This wine is interesting and shows good complexity on the nose.
Body shows good structure and balance from front to back. Being from Walla Walla, tannins show good restraint. The milder climate has a taming effect on this easily bold varietal. Body is overall lighter than your average Cab. Not as chewy or jammy. For a cab, I’d describe it as medium bodied. This allows terroir notes to peak through ever so slightly in the form of a subtle mineral leather and cola. Blackberry and a crisp caramel (neutral oak) are prominent throughout. Transition to finish is seamless, ending with a slightly dry dusty tannic grit. If this wine is in fact 14.6% ABV, I’d say the winemaker has pulled a tricky balancing act. It is barely noticeable. I’d put it at about 13.8% ABV. It’s a pleasing, easy sipper.
This is a good, well built wine with enough complexity and nuance to keep the intermediate to advanced palate interested, without being overly abstract to the general wine audience. I think this winemaker has done a great job.
The last Cab I saw on here that pulled a similar feat was the Martin Ray 2017 Napa Valley Cab. That was a solid bargain at $199/case. This Cab is right there with it, shoulder-to-shoulder. I didn’t know the price at time of review but now I see at $139/case this is a case buy. You’d likely regret not springing for a case. You won’t be disappointed. This is a very nice cab.
we need to hire @winesnob to write our tasting notes Thanks so much for the great Rattage Report - I, too, often tell folks this '16 Cab of ours leans more into minerality and complex earthiness, and leans away from jammy and fruity (not that there’s anything wrong with jammy and fruity). We hope you enjoy it and thanks for the nice shout out!
@luvbergevinlane@tastebud my pleasure! Great wines are always easy to write about. I’m a sucker for WA wines. I like the minerality and how the climate pulls everything back. Cheers!
@WCCWineGirl my pleasure. I never know what I’m getting from Casemates so it’s always nice when it turns out to be a gem of a wine at a hell of a bargain.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon - $40 = 22.21%
88 Points. With this 100% varietal, aromas of gummy, cinnamon and cherry are followed by green pepper, vanilla and cherry flavors with a lightly grainy feel. Give a short decant. SPS 4/1/21
that Washington Tasting Room review mentioned above, along with a little extra info:
92 pts. The supple texture of this Cabernet is backlit with fresh acidity, boasting polished flavors of blackberry, raspberry, currants and vanilla. Well-integrated tannins converge on the vibrant finish with hints of graphite, baking spice and dried thyme. 2/4/21
@kaolis wine is highly subjective and even with a highly focused palate, one must also be mindful of the context of the wine - where it’s from, what the climate is like, how it affects that specific varietal and its overall sense of place. Most wine reviewers don’t consider these things and allow their inherent biases to dictate the exercise.
IMO The Washington tasting room is a more accurate assessment of this wine. The notes are in line with what I see in it.
Wine enthusiast? Not so much. They’re missing key notes and talking about others I didn’t get at all. It reads more like someone who was expecting a “Napa Cab” and has yet to learn there’s more to Cab than whatever comes out of Napa.
@kaolis@winesnob
Bought a case, largely based on your review and your comments above. Took a bottle with me for a few days trip to the mountains. I think I can honestly say that your rattage is the most spot on that I have seen, as are your comments on the two reviews. I’m trying to develop a decent palate, and reviews like yours are very helpful. I didn’t get all the notes you mentioned, but I got a lot of them. The only downside is that I only got one case, and a friend I’m trying to ween off supermarket cab probably won’t get much of this. Thanks for your work!
@Springbank thanks for the feedback buddy. Very much appreciated. That’s awesome that I can contribute in any small way to your journey through wine. As for the notes you didn’t pick up, I often find the type of glass you use really helps eek out those very subtle layers. Sometimes it just takes a little time to open up good.
As for your friend, yes, yours is a noble cause. Grocery store wine is the worse excuse for wine. Once you experience small batch production artisan wines such as this one, that becomes all you ever care for. You simply cannot reproduce the complexity at the industrial scale needed for mass distribution.
Worry not about buying just one case. I’m sure Something just as interesting will pop up again soon. I just hope the next one they send me isn’t like that mess called “Writer’s Block”
for me, the '14 was big and bold and certainly more “bordeaux-ish” upon release - very firm, with full tannins and dark black fruit. the 2015 was lighter in comparison (most would be), with crushed red fruits and a cleaner, bright finish, good acidity. This 16 falls somewhere in the middle, not as light in body as the 2015 and certainly not as brawny as the 2014, with black crushed fruit and certainly more minerality & earthiness. It should drink well now with a bit of open time.
I was thinking about our Cabernet Sauvignon this morning and was wondering, could it be a breakfast wine? So I thought about pairings and came up with a breakfast sandwich, two pieces of whisked egg dipped bread w/oozy cheese inside, some flavorful breakfast sausage and we could make a wine reduction maple syrup and I thought why not? Some might call this stuffed french cabernet sauvignon toast! Do you all think it would work?
Sounds delicious and making me hungry now. Just had my morning routine of cigar and wine. Glad to see another WA wine on casemates!!! Have seen your wine at local store but never tried - glad to find you here.
Had the back half of this bottle tonight and it just really shines. When you get your case, open a bottle, have half, vacuvin the rest and toss it in the fridge. Open it 1-2 days later and just enjoy the hell out of it!
The 2015 was one of the bigger hits of the past several months (only one left). Thrilled to see this; in for a case.
/giphy teasing-measured-grapefruit
Must resist… I do not need more wine… I do not need more wine… Too hot in central Missouri… I do not need more wine… Already payed yearly fee for unlimited diversions to UPS Store… I do not need more wine… Review makes this sound like an interesting wine (at a good price!)… Must resist… FOMO!
/giphy practical-abrupt-cookie
@Mark_L
What Mark_L said. Except that the UPS fee seems to be a waste of money. Last week Big Brown pulls up, the guy gets out, looks at me and says “I’m not supposed to delivery this, am I?” Starts getting back in the truck, and I say “Well, you are here now.”
Yesterday, I get a “sorry we missed you” email, then later one saying “unable to deliver to access point” which in my case is a UPS store. How the heck can that be?
@Mark_L it is a killer deal, great wine, you won’t be disappointed. Walla Walla fruit, Cabernet Sauvignon at this price point?! FOMO be gone! Get after it!!!
@Mark_L@Springbank I hate those messages from UPS! And then half the time pkg still shows up!? Or it means another day riding in a hot truck So you never really know. Bogus
@kitkat34@Mark_L@Springbank
Even better are those that arrive, sometimes, a week after the delivery has been made.
I once, accidentally, (I have multiple ship to addresses) had one delivered to a PO box. It was accepted and put in a locker, but the notification was days late.
Go figure…
@Mark_L It’s a disease…it’s ok.
But my disease is in check for cooler weather
Would be good if this comes back again in a little more temperate weather.
@KitMarlot This Gif is really cool! I’ve watched it about 30 times now. I have an unnatural fear of heights so it’s pretty wild to see this! That being said, after watching this buying a case of our Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon is a piece of cake! No leaps of faith needed here, rock solid wine and a killer deal!
sign up for our mailing list on our website, @Springbank, occasionally we do have some direct deals as well on the Syrah! Probably not RWS level, but mailing list only deal nonetheless !! (and thanks for the support, always:) )
The very same wine was a Garagiste mystery wine back in May. For reference, WD did a great job on pricing! $13.76 from Rimmerman plus shipping, which to SoCal is around $2.75/bottle.
2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$378/Case at Bergevin Lane Vineyards for 12x 2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Aug 2 - Friday, Aug 6
Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $139.99 $11.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon
My wife and I are tasting in Walla Walla this week and were supposed to visit this winery but had to cancel. Since I haven’t had a bad Cabernet here yet I bought a case. Cheers!
@mikepav We’re sorry we missed you guys! We opened our new tasting room downtown Walla Walla and we love it! We’ll look forward to seeing you on your next visit! Thanks for the kind words!
@mikepav We hope to see you next time you’re in town! Meanwhile, thanks for the support and be sure to follow us on social media too for events & specials & interesting anecdotes from Walla Walla wine life!
Tonight’s Rattage: 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Moonspell) by Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Walla Walla Valley, WA.
Dark intense semi opaque color. Big nose out of the bottle with dark plum filling the air immediately. As it opens up, the plum ripens a little, adding ripe dark cherry, a touch of wet soil and wood creates the essence of damp forest floor. You’d likely miss it, but a very faint honey beeswax emerges towards the back. This wine is interesting and shows good complexity on the nose.
Body shows good structure and balance from front to back. Being from Walla Walla, tannins show good restraint. The milder climate has a taming effect on this easily bold varietal. Body is overall lighter than your average Cab. Not as chewy or jammy. For a cab, I’d describe it as medium bodied. This allows terroir notes to peak through ever so slightly in the form of a subtle mineral leather and cola. Blackberry and a crisp caramel (neutral oak) are prominent throughout. Transition to finish is seamless, ending with a slightly dry dusty tannic grit. If this wine is in fact 14.6% ABV, I’d say the winemaker has pulled a tricky balancing act. It is barely noticeable. I’d put it at about 13.8% ABV. It’s a pleasing, easy sipper.
This is a good, well built wine with enough complexity and nuance to keep the intermediate to advanced palate interested, without being overly abstract to the general wine audience. I think this winemaker has done a great job.
The last Cab I saw on here that pulled a similar feat was the Martin Ray 2017 Napa Valley Cab. That was a solid bargain at $199/case. This Cab is right there with it, shoulder-to-shoulder. I didn’t know the price at time of review but now I see at $139/case this is a case buy. You’d likely regret not springing for a case. You won’t be disappointed. This is a very nice cab.
@winesnob hey @luvbergevinlane,
we need to hire @winesnob to write our tasting notes
Thanks so much for the great Rattage Report - I, too, often tell folks this '16 Cab of ours leans more into minerality and complex earthiness, and leans away from jammy and fruity (not that there’s anything wrong with jammy and fruity). We hope you enjoy it and thanks for the nice shout out!
@winesnob Nice writeup…
you and those crazy wine glasses you like… kidding, sorry, had to say it…ha!
@winesnob thank you for reporting, great pics. I like the cap with the name on it.
@luvbergevinlane @tastebud my pleasure! Great wines are always easy to write about. I’m a sucker for WA wines. I like the minerality and how the climate pulls everything back. Cheers!
@kaolis you should try it. It rips apart and exposes all of its layers. Makes my job much easier
@WCCWineGirl my pleasure. I never know what I’m getting from Casemates so it’s always nice when it turns out to be a gem of a wine at a hell of a bargain.
@winesnob excellent rattage!
@winesnob thanks for the great tasting note!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon - $40 = 22.21%
and the Wine Enthusiast says what? Says this:
88 Points. With this 100% varietal, aromas of gummy, cinnamon and cherry are followed by green pepper, vanilla and cherry flavors with a lightly grainy feel. Give a short decant. SPS 4/1/21
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/bergevin-lane-2016-moonspell-cabernet-sauvignon-walla-walla-valley-wa/
that Washington Tasting Room review mentioned above, along with a little extra info:
92 pts. The supple texture of this Cabernet is backlit with fresh acidity, boasting polished flavors of blackberry, raspberry, currants and vanilla. Well-integrated tannins converge on the vibrant finish with hints of graphite, baking spice and dried thyme. 2/4/21
https://www.washingtontastingroom.com/wine-reviews/bergevin-lane-vineyards-continues-to-impress-despite-challenges
fwiw
@kaolis wine is highly subjective and even with a highly focused palate, one must also be mindful of the context of the wine - where it’s from, what the climate is like, how it affects that specific varietal and its overall sense of place. Most wine reviewers don’t consider these things and allow their inherent biases to dictate the exercise.
IMO The Washington tasting room is a more accurate assessment of this wine. The notes are in line with what I see in it.
Wine enthusiast? Not so much. They’re missing key notes and talking about others I didn’t get at all. It reads more like someone who was expecting a “Napa Cab” and has yet to learn there’s more to Cab than whatever comes out of Napa.
Cheers and thanks for sharing!
@kaolis @winesnob
Bought a case, largely based on your review and your comments above. Took a bottle with me for a few days trip to the mountains. I think I can honestly say that your rattage is the most spot on that I have seen, as are your comments on the two reviews. I’m trying to develop a decent palate, and reviews like yours are very helpful. I didn’t get all the notes you mentioned, but I got a lot of them. The only downside is that I only got one case, and a friend I’m trying to ween off supermarket cab probably won’t get much of this. Thanks for your work!
@Springbank thanks for the feedback buddy. Very much appreciated. That’s awesome that I can contribute in any small way to your journey through wine. As for the notes you didn’t pick up, I often find the type of glass you use really helps eek out those very subtle layers. Sometimes it just takes a little time to open up good.
As for your friend, yes, yours is a noble cause. Grocery store wine is the worse excuse for wine. Once you experience small batch production artisan wines such as this one, that becomes all you ever care for. You simply cannot reproduce the complexity at the industrial scale needed for mass distribution.
Worry not about buying just one case. I’m sure Something just as interesting will pop up again soon. I just hope the next one they send me isn’t like that mess called “Writer’s Block”
POPSOCKETS! ROAD ROCKETS! SONNY CROCKETT! AWESOME!
The 2014 and 2015 have been staples in my house. Any thoughts on how the 2016 compares?
@glennfuller0
for me, the '14 was big and bold and certainly more “bordeaux-ish” upon release - very firm, with full tannins and dark black fruit. the 2015 was lighter in comparison (most would be), with crushed red fruits and a cleaner, bright finish, good acidity. This 16 falls somewhere in the middle, not as light in body as the 2015 and certainly not as brawny as the 2014, with black crushed fruit and certainly more minerality & earthiness. It should drink well now with a bit of open time.
@tastebud Thanks! I bought two cases. Looking forward to tasting.
Loved the 2015 so in for a case!
/giphy thievish-willowy-plane
@a5meiser Enjoy! Cheers!!
I was thinking about our Cabernet Sauvignon this morning and was wondering, could it be a breakfast wine? So I thought about pairings and came up with a breakfast sandwich, two pieces of whisked egg dipped bread w/oozy cheese inside, some flavorful breakfast sausage and we could make a wine reduction maple syrup and I thought why not? Some might call this stuffed french cabernet sauvignon toast! Do you all think it would work?
@luvbergevinlane I’ll be in Walla Walla in September…can I stop by for breakfast!!!
@luvbergevinlane @mrn1 Hey don’t talk about it, do it. Can’t wait for the tomorrow’s breakfast review
@kaolis @luvbergevinlane
Be sure to let us know what time to arrive.
@luvbergevinlane @mrn1 I’ll PM you her address
@luvbergevinlane I think you may be onto something here!
Sounds delicious and making me hungry now. Just had my morning routine of cigar and wine. Glad to see another WA wine on casemates!!! Have seen your wine at local store but never tried - glad to find you here.
@a_monk I know, it made me hungry too!
Hope you have an opportunity to try our wine! Cheers!
Having purchased the previous vintages this is an easy buy for me. Especially since I have very little of either left…
@chipgreen @pjmartin @lornedoonage @marikar @boatman72 @winesnob Due to the fact that I will be in Walla Walla in September coupled with WineSnob’s review, I’m buying a case. Anyone want in?
We really enjoyed the 2014, so in for a case!
/giphy manageable-numb-chalk
Had the back half of this bottle tonight and it just really shines. When you get your case, open a bottle, have half, vacuvin the rest and toss it in the fridge. Open it 1-2 days later and just enjoy the hell out of it!
The 2015 was one of the bigger hits of the past several months (only one left). Thrilled to see this; in for a case.
/giphy teasing-measured-grapefruit
I’m in South FL, hopefully the 2 day shipping helps protect these.
/giphy happy-raspy-street
Must resist… I do not need more wine… I do not need more wine… Too hot in central Missouri… I do not need more wine… Already payed yearly fee for unlimited diversions to UPS Store… I do not need more wine… Review makes this sound like an interesting wine (at a good price!)… Must resist… FOMO!
/giphy practical-abrupt-cookie
@Mark_L /cowsay NO FOMO!
@tastebud Not since I lit up Missouri on the “Who’se Buying” map!
@Mark_L haters gonna hate- they’re just jealous!!
@Mark_L
What Mark_L said. Except that the UPS fee seems to be a waste of money. Last week Big Brown pulls up, the guy gets out, looks at me and says “I’m not supposed to delivery this, am I?” Starts getting back in the truck, and I say “Well, you are here now.”
Yesterday, I get a “sorry we missed you” email, then later one saying “unable to deliver to access point” which in my case is a UPS store. How the heck can that be?
End of rant. In for a case.
/giphy gregarious-renowned-scone
@Mark_L it is a killer deal, great wine, you won’t be disappointed. Walla Walla fruit, Cabernet Sauvignon at this price point?! FOMO be gone! Get after it!!!
@Mark_L @Springbank I hate those messages from UPS! And then half the time pkg still shows up!? Or it means another day riding in a hot truck
So you never really know. Bogus
@kitkat34 @Mark_L @Springbank
Even better are those that arrive, sometimes, a week after the delivery has been made.
I once, accidentally, (I have multiple ship to addresses) had one delivered to a PO box. It was accepted and put in a locker, but the notification was days late.
Go figure…
@Mark_L It’s a disease…it’s ok.
But my disease is in check for cooler weather
Would be good if this comes back again in a little more temperate weather.
Love Bergevin Lane, love Moonspell, resisted the last few times it was offered but ran out in January. Happy to load up!
/giphy addicted-bawling-base
@KitMarlot This Gif is really cool! I’ve watched it about 30 times now. I have an unnatural fear of heights so it’s pretty wild to see this! That being said, after watching this buying a case of our Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon is a piece of cake! No leaps of faith needed here, rock solid wine and a killer deal!
@KitMarlot
I passed on the She-Devil Syrah that RWS has awhile back, and been kicking myself ever since. Looking forward to this one.
@KitMarlot @Springbank
sign up for our mailing list on our website, @Springbank, occasionally we do have some direct deals as well on the Syrah! Probably not RWS level, but mailing list only deal nonetheless !! (and thanks for the support, always:) )
@KitMarlot @tastebud
Just did, thanks!
Opened a bottle of the 2015 last night. Great wine and great price.
/giphy unknown-mini-mite
@kitkat34 jrbw3 hell yeah
/giphy moronic-dashing-dad
The very same wine was a Garagiste mystery wine back in May. For reference, WD did a great job on pricing! $13.76 from Rimmerman plus shipping, which to SoCal is around $2.75/bottle.