Winemaker Notes
From its alluring dark ruby color to its enticing aromas of brambly black fruit, cherry pie, vanilla, and sweet brown baking spices, the debut vintage of Greenwing embodies the dynamic complexity of great Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, it is energetic and lively, with a streak of lovely acidity that adds poise and freshness to the vibrant fruit flavors. At the same time, soft, dusty tannins and sophisticated hints of cardamom, anise, and cocoa add intrigue to a long, smooth finish.
Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 7% Merlot
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
This is a new Cabernet Sauvignon project from the folks at Duckhorn, doubling down on Washington to go along with their Red Mountain focused Canvasback brand. The aromas mesmerize in notes of café au lait, black currant, plum, bay leaf and spice. The palate is deft in style, full of wellbalanced, creamy-feeling flavors of coffee, spice and cherry, with lightly grainy tannins backing it up. It’s a lovely mix of fruit and barrel.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits up-front fruit and a persistent and juicy palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine glides on the palate with flavors of black fruit and savory spices. Pair it with an oven-roast shoulder of ham. (Tasted: April 11, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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.