Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Decidedly minerally, this has extra layers of wet stone and tar around a core of dark berry and cherry fruit, finishing with intensi- ty and richness. The finish persists. Drink now through 2022.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon (there’s 4% Syrah in the blend) exhibits lots of scorched earth and licorice characteristics to go with ample blackberry and currant-style fruits. Full-bodied, open, supple and textured, enjoy this hedonistic beauty over the coming 4-5 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
After starting out somewhat reduced, this becomes aromatic with notes of char, coffee grounds, toast, herbs and dark cherries. It’s seamless, silky and rich in feel, with layered fruit and barrel flavors and a beguiling sense of texture.
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.