2012 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

• By Eric Guido
  Washington State 2021 and 2020: From the Frying Pan to the Fire (Jan 2024), 1/1/2024, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon Washington State Red) Login and sign up and see review text.

• By Stephen Tanzer
  Washington Turns Up the Heat (Nov 2015), 11/1/2015, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Washington) Login and sign up and see review text.

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Corliss 2012s, 10/15/2017

  (Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon) Hello friends. It’s always a little hit or miss whether we can offer the autumn release of Corliss Estates wines. Looking at the past five vintages, we were able to offer both of the ‘08s and ‘11s, neither of the ‘10s, and in ’09, we were only able to offer the Cab, and only in magnums. Like I said: hit or miss. Fortunately, this year is a hit, and it couldn’t come at a better time, as it coincides with the release of (arguably) the best vintage of the 2000s so far in Washington: 2012. Quick note on logistics: these wines will not be officially released until Nov 1. We’ll be allowed to place our order on Oct 30 for Oct 31 delivery, so we should be able to include these wines in autumn shipments, and they’ll be available for pickup as early as Nov 2-4. I want to send this offer out nice and early, because this is a special vintage, and Corliss is probably the last major Washington winery to release their 2012s, and I want to advocate for as close to our list’s true demand as possible. Corliss is an important producer in Washington. They only release three wines outside the winery: a Syrah each spring, and a Cabernet and BDX Blend in the autumn. Corliss is noteworthy because they hold their wines about as long as anyone in the state before release. So while most Cabernets on the market right now are 2014 (along with plenty of 2015s, and – eek! – I even tasted my first 2016 Cab recently), Corliss is just getting ready to release their 2012s. With five years ageing in barrel and bottle, Corliss wines are usually much further along the path towards integration and complexity than their peer releases. As it seems to go every vintage, the Cab is the slight favorite for the professional reviewers (although Tanzer rates them evenly in ’12). I always tend towards more of a split decision. The blend is always compelling for its earlier-drinking character; the Cab for its dark, brooding soul. The good news, of course, is that there’s no need to choose one or the other; we can try both.Vinous: Copyrighted material withheld. [Context note: this was Tanzer’s highest-rated 2012 Cab from Washington, sharing that honor with the 2012 Quilceda Creek Cab ($140).] Wine Advocate: Copyrighted material withheld.