Winemaker Notes
Rich, dense and concentrated with amazing purity of flavor. Dusty plum, black cherry and mineral with hints of menthol and bittersweet chocolate. Well-integrated oak-spice accents take the back seat to the amazing fruit.
Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah, 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
With small percentagesof Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot acting asan able supporting cast, this bold Cabernet Sauvignonstrikes first with aromas of figs and Bing cherries coatedin bittersweet dark chocolate. The texture is plush, withblackberry, blueberry, clove, and anise flavors coatingeverything in sight. A nice bit of acidity and velvety tannins helps maintain a sense of balance. Best Buy.
Washington produces so many exciting wines, and that definitely includes Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 10,000 acres under vine, Cabernet Sauvignon is now the most widely-grown varietal in the state. Terrific examples hail from sub-appellations like Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope, Horse Heaven Hills and Walla Walla Valley. One of the fascinations of these Columbia Valley Cabs is that they so often seem to have one foot in the New World and one in the Old. Representing the former are characteristics like the ripe, forward fruit that results from long sunny days during the growing season (up to two hours longer than in much of California). Old World similarities include an undeniable brightness from acidity, as well as notes of herbs, graphite and a dusty, sometimes gravelly minerality.
Whether you’re looking for a budget bottle for everyday enjoyment, or a stellar, world-class wine with tremendous aging potential, Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines can deliver the goods! Among the many fine options are bottles from Columbia Crest, Chateau Ste. Michelle, L’ecole #41, Quilceda Creek and Leonetti.