Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
An arresting blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (27%) and Cabernet Franc, it displays purity with its herb, bay leaf, earth and cherry flavors. The exquisite balance is where this wine really shines, winning over on its elegance, detail and length rather than power. It shows first-class fruit and exceptional winemaking. Editors' Choice.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Moving to the reds, the 2009 Carriage House is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc aged in French oak, some new. Pretty, perfumed and elegant, it delivers classic black cherry, cassis, underbrush, lead pencil and herb aromas as well as a medium to full-bodied, elegant and lengthy feel on the palate. It will benefit from short-term cellaring and evolve nicely for 10-15 years. Drink now-2024.
-
Wine Spectator
Polished, refined, focused and expressive, with an earthy edge to the dark plum and spice flavors, lingering on the savory finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2019. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
As the first recognized wine-growing region in the Pacific Northwest, Yakima Valley is centrally located within Washington’s vast Columbia Valley. The region also includes Washington’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines, Otis Vineyard, planted in 1957, and Harrison Hill Vineyard, planted in 1963. Yakima Valley contains three smaller sub-regions: Rattlesnake Hills, Red Mountain, and Snipes Mountain and is ideal for both red and white wine production. In fact, Yakima Valley is Washington’s most diverse region, boasting more than 40 different grape varieties over about one hundred miles.
The cooler parts of the valley are home to almost half of the Chardonnay and Riesling produced in the state! Both are made in a wide range of styles depending on the conditions of the vineyard site.
But its warmer locations yield a large proportion of Washington’s best Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The finest Yakima Valley reds are jam-packed full of red cherry, currant, raspberry or blackberry fruit, as well as cocoa, herb, spice and savory notes, and exhibit a supple texture, great body, focus and length.