Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Lighter and lifted, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon shows a sweet frame of fruit with elegant French oak and baking spice scents with vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom that sways with an impressive aromatic array of cedar and cigar box, resinous purple flowers, juicy plum and chocolate ganache in the glass. Full-bodied, the wine is balanced and seamless, offering precision and focus across the mid-palate with fine-grained tannins that continue to sway with excellence before delivering a long, drawn-out finish that's simply stunning. This will be able to age for more than a decade in the cellar.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Champoux, Palengat and Wallula vineyards, all located with the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. Aromas of incense, dark fruit, licorice and barrel spice rise up from the glass, which also reveals penetrating cherry and anise notes. The flavors are rich and concentrated but far from over the top, with expertly integrated tannins. It brings a very pleasing sense of texture. Just a baby now, but it has the stuffing to go the distance. Best from 2027–2033.
Cellar Selection -
Wine Spectator
Refined and structured, with expressive dark berry and toasted clove aromas and richly layered plum, stony mineral and thyme flavors that gain depth toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2026.
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.