Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Sourced from a half dozen vineyards, it includes small amounts of Merlot and Cab Franc. Balanced and complete, it conveys blackberry, coffee and a smooth, vivid streak of caramel, with silky, delicious tannins.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Tasted out of bottle, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is a solid, medium-bodied and firm effort that gives up classic black and blue fruits, spice, graphite and ample minerality on both the nose and palate. Made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 40% new French oak, it will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink nicely 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.