Winemaker Notes
Pursued by Bear Cabernet Sauvignon has always been about quality. The 2017 is no exception. Layers of complex, deep red fruits with exceptional concentration combine with flavors of dark chocolate and hints of mint and vanilla. A luscious mouthfeel enhanced by supple, integrated tannins, developed in the 100% new Taransaud French oak barrels, harmonize elegantly with the exceptional fruit sourced from the best vineyards in Washington’s Columbia Valley.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, which includes 5% Merlot, comes from the Champoux, DuBrul, Dionysus, and Weinbau vineyards and spent 30 months in barrel. It’s a medium to full-bodied, nicely fruited, elegant Cabernet that shows the more streamlined style of the vintage yet still brings beautiful depth and length. It’s going to keep for a solid 10-15 years.
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James Suckling
Currants, stewed plums, tobacco, grilled herbs, olives and baking spices on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Layered with a flavorful, savory finish. Drink now or hold.
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Wine & Spirits
Kyle MacLachlan’s 2017 is an exceptional blend of old-vine sources, including Champoux, Dionysus, Dubrul and Weinbau. Despite its richness—all warm chocolate oak, smoke and caramel—there’s an old- vine composure to the fruit that resonates. Its finish is like walking into an old-school tobacco store, sweet, savory, dark, a little decadent. Decant it and serve with cider-brined pork.
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Wine Spectator
A handsome red, precise and refined, with multilayered blackberry, savory spice and tobacco accents that finish with polished tannins. Drink now through 2029.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is hedonism in a glass. Dark chocolate, cherry, vanilla and spice aromas are followed by rich, textured fruit flavors that coat the palate. It's decadent, but the vintage's backbone keeps it all beautifully in balance.
Editor's Choice
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.