Winemaker Notes
This year our Washington Cabernet is once again layered with a blend of varietals as well as vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon component of the blend is Mercer Ranch Vineyard (48% of the total), Sundance and Katherine Leone vineyards (21%), and Kestrel and Pleasant vineyards (7%). The Merlot component is both Pleasant Vineyards and a blend of Kestrel and Sundance vineyards, each 12% of the total blend. The individual lots were fermented separately using three different yeasts to emphasize the different characteristics of the individual vineyards. After fermentation the wine was put into both French (40% new) and American oak barrels for about 14 months. The wine was taken out of barrels, the blend assembled, and then given another 4 months in barrels before bottling in May of 2002.
Professional Ratings
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.