Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
While the 2013 was brought up all in French oak, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve was raised mostly in French oak, with a small portion of American oak. It’s another high quality effort from this estate that has a modern, rich, textured style as well as beautiful notes of black currants, spice-box, graphite and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, fresh and nicely balanced, it will drink well for at least a decade.
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Wine & Spirits
A fine, lean line of oak frames classic cabernet scents of violet and plum. The flavors are saturated and firm at once; the tannins gather the fruit flavors, making the wine feel more compact, linear and dry, ending with notes of mocha and dried cherries. (4,200 cases)
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Wine Spectator
A firm and focused red, deftly balanced, playing raspberry and black currant flavors against fine-grained tannins. The focused flavors cut through on the finish and linger attentively. Best from 2017 through 2022.
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.