Winemaker Notes
Our Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from grapes grown on beautiful hillside vineyards in Washington State's prestigious Columbia Valley, where the northern latitude and continental climate produce wines that show excellent structure. To soften and add complexity we have aged this full-bodied wine for 18 months in French oak barrels. On the palate it offers concentrated flavors of cassis, blackberry, black cherry and ripe plum, with a hint of light oak, and its finish is smooth and harmonious. It makes an excellent accompaniment to beef, lamb, and game dishes and a variety of cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Plum, dried herb, gravel, smoke and raspberry aromas are out front. There's a pleasing quality to the red fruit flavors that deliver above their price. 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.