Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I was sorely disappointed in the 2011 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and what I thought would be one of the top wines of the vintage from barrel last year now shows a heavy handed, chunky oak profile, with overt wood, scorched earth, licorice and smoked black fruits on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it still has good mid-palate concentration, as well as good purity to its fruit, but it’s currently overwhelmed by new oak, and I’m not convinced the fruit will win this battle. I’m hoping I caught these 2011s on an off day (nevertheless, I still rated them all outstanding, just a fair click below their barrel scores), but give them a year or two in the cellar, at which point it will be much more obvious if they’re integrating the oak and will improve, or if they’ll need consumed sooner rather than later.
Rating: 91+
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.