Winemaker Notes
East of Washington’s majestic Cascade Mountains, the Columbia Valley has earned renown as the source for some of North America’s most dynamic and exciting Cabernet Sauvignons. With idyllic sundrenched summer days, cold nights and very little rainfall, it is a land of extremes, where Cabernet Sauvignon clusters ripen perfectly on the vines, yielding energetic wines, with soaring aromas and tantalizing flavors of plum, black cherry and wild strawberry.
Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 2% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is a soft and dark-fruited cabernet showing blackberry, mint-leaf, blackcurrant and brewed-tea aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and balanced with fine tannins.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2021 Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon sails smoothly on the palate, offering aromas of boysenberries and blackberries. On the palate, this remains smooth and pleasing, exhibiting flavors of blackberries and licorice, which make it a lovely pairing with grilled lamb chops. (Tasted: June 18, 2025, 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.