Winemaker Notes
On the nose, aromatics express themselves in toasty oak and bright, ripe Bing cherry. It is medium-bodied on the palate with well-rounded tannins and flavors of deep red fruit, all spice, and white pepper. The finish is long and supple with notes of cigar box and tanned leather.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Very pretty blackberries and blueberries with some lavender and violet undertones. Full-bodied, tight and focused. Needs two or three years to come together.
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Wine Spectator
Focused and well-structured, with expressive black cherry, dusty mocha and spice flavors that linger toward refined tannins.
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.