Winemaker Notes
The 1997 vintage had almost identical heat units as the excellent 1989 vintage. There were no problems with severe winter weather or spring frosts and consequently we received all the grapes that we had planned for. However, because we are continuously striving to improve our wine with every vintage, we declassified 38% of the vintage into a red table wine, even though the quality of the declassified wine was such that we would have used it in previous vintages. This made this Cabernet Sauvignon truly excellent.
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon has an unctuous black raspberry liqueur essence layered with the flavors and aromas of anise, smoke and minerals. This wine is deceiving because it is massively proportioned yet supple, a rare combination which we feel is the true hallmark of a great wine. This wine should cellar well for over 20 years.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon was fashioned from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It offers a boisterous rosemary and black fruit-scented nose. Big, broad, and chewy, this medium to full-bodied wine is packed with black fruits, spices, and hints of tar. It is masculine, concentrated, and in need of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.
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.