Winemaker Notes
Full bodied with ripe scents of black currant and violets, rich aromas of caramel intertwined with lively acidity and bright fruit, dark chocolate and velvety tannins stretched out over a lengthy finish. Of all the Tamarack reds, this shows the most length, complexity and balance.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This dense, focused and juicy red offers fresh blackberry and currant fruit, with a delicate savory edge weaving through the long, expressive finish. Approachable, but sturdy tannins need time to soften. Best from 2012 through 2019.
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.