Winemaker Notes
Planted by vineyard manager Mimi Nye in 1991, our vineyard at CanoeRidge Estate is coming out of adolescence and hitting its stride. The winesfrom this fruit are showing more depth and concentration. The Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet typifies the Horse Heaven Hills AVA with beautiful, expressive fruit and delicate tannins.
Pairs best with foods such as venison, pork and beef and herbs like thyme, bay leaf and fennel.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Sturdy, ripe and generous, with a surprisingly soft edge to the explosive black cherry, currant, black olive and smoke flavors, lingering effortlessly on the big, round finish. Best from 2010 through 2018. 5,800 cases made.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Canoe Ridge Estate was sourced from vines planted in 1991. Purple-colored, it sports an alluring nose of cedar, cinnamon, allspice, violets, black currant, and blackberry. Layered, bordering on opulent, this full-flavored Cabernet has excellent density, savory flavors, ripe tannins, and plenty of length. It will offer a drinking window extending from 2011 to 2021.
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.