Winemaker Notes
Crafted in a classic Bordeaux style and sourced from low-yielding vineyards within the best appellations of the Columbia Valley. This wine delivers an enticing bouquet of spice, anise and rose petals. On the palate a perfect balance of cherry, berry and coco flavors lead to a powerful and complex finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Chewy with tannin, but bursting with fresh currant and plum, sneaking in hints of mint and black tea as the finish lingers. A graceful wine that has miles to go. Best from 2013 through 2018.
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.