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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2010 and 2015 (based on 6 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 86 pts. and median of 87 pts. in 55 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by andrewhuang on 2/25/2012 & rated 86 points: it had a strong oak flavor. the nose was good an the tannins were soft. (7202 views) | | | Tasted by The13thGryphon on 2/7/2012 & rated 85 points: Nose is dark plum, dark cherry, leather, and vanilla. Flavors are dark fruit and leather. Good tannic structure and just the slightest touch of acid tingle on the tongue. Decent wine all in all, though not a favorite. (6986 views) | | | Tasted by teamhams on 9/14/2011 & rated 86 points: Very enjoyable. We had this at an in-store wine tasting and then took a bottle home. Nice Columbia Valley cabernet. Plenty of dark fruits and cherry on the nose and in the mouth. Soft feel on the palate. Decent finish. We've had plenty of cabs that cost more and deliver less. (6984 views) | | | Tasted by Colia on 6/6/2011 & rated 85 points: Very pretty red fruits and spices. Dissapointing in terms of body and flavor intensity, however. Well integrated, medium finish. (8712 views) | | | Tasted by bonedoktor on 5/25/2011: ok taste (8781 views) | | | Tasted by ecola on 5/20/2011 & rated 87 points: Easy to drink with fresh berries and minerality on the palate. Medium body. (3936 views) | | | Tasted by Hankkey on 5/13/2011 & rated 80 points: Again, not very complex and has a weak finish; not unpleasant, but there are much better selections for the price. (4197 views) | | | Tasted by studleytrey on 2/13/2011 & rated 86 points: A bit aromatically challenged. Some blueberry and vanilla, but very subtle. Some red fruit on the palate, with a little pencil lead and charcoal sitting underneath. Everything is subtle with this wine, and not overly complex or exciting. Not terrible but not great either. I paid around $18, and have better in the cellar for around $10. Probably wouldn't buy again, especially at that price. (4589 views) | | | Tasted by YWG Wine Guy on 2/8/2011 & rated 85 points: See prior notes, sentiments of JCLEMENTS rings true for me also...not a bad vino, and decent, if not a little pricey... (4616 views) | | | Tasted by jclements on 2/4/2011 & rated 50 points: Cherry, jammy, fruit forward, blah blah. Getting sick of these American, especially NW, reds with no backbone and a faceful of cherry candy sappy blech. Not worth it at $17. Sure, I suppose there's minerality and cedar in there somewhere. (5288 views) | | | Tasted by ecola on 2/1/2011 & rated 89 points: Chalky aromas of dark berries and pencil lead. Medium body with a smooth mouthfeel. Dusty flavors of dark cherry and rhubarb. Minerality kicks in on the finish. (4462 views) | | | Tasted by tantotinto on 11/29/2010 & rated 86 points: Dark purple, almost black. Nose of earth and ripe black fruit. Full, sweet and one-dimensional with noticeable oak. No nuance here but moderate black and red fruit. Decent value but would not buy again. (4813 views) | | | Tasted by zamco17 on 11/8/2010 & rated 88 points: Very one dimensional but was isn't at this price? Good for what it is (4998 views) | | | Tasted by danstrings on 11/5/2010 & rated 87 points: Better than expected, pretty silky and juicy inky good. (4840 views) | | | Tasted by RedMountainMan on 10/23/2010 & rated 86 points: Light on fruit and alcohol, and just thin in general. Good drinking wine, but leaves you wanting more depth. (5023 views) | | | Tasted by hutch on 8/23/2010 & rated 86 points: Walker Trade Show (Newport): Fuller mouth feel. Has some sweetness and I don't understand the price point. 85-86 (7022 views) | | | Tasted by DesMarteau on 8/20/2010 & rated 87 points: nose of faint spice, current. Soft, nice drinking cab. (5524 views) | | | Tasted by norsktorsk on 8/1/2010 & rated 88 points: Nice for the price. (5604 views) | | | Tasted by kwebb on 7/12/2010 & rated 89 points: Full-bodied, deep color, med tannins, not too much alcohol. Also, not much fruit, or finish. It was good but not a stand out. (5520 views) | | | Tasted by jpasmore on 7/4/2010 & rated 87 points: Good bottle of wine for day-in/day-out type of drinking -- tastes strangely similar to Smith's Velvet Devil; not the same, but similar kind of finish and creamy texture and taste for that matter -- in some ways an oaky-version of the other wine, but pretty good, great for July 4th (like today) BBQ. (5565 views) | | | Tasted by spidersva on 7/1/2010 & rated 88 points: Really solid Washington cab - nice backbone, depth. Not to napa-y. (5580 views) | | | Tasted by AlexHop on 5/22/2010 & rated 87 points: Ok, but nothing wonderful. Medium body, a bit rough, and not a ton of fruit, but some decent cabernet character. (5843 views) | | | Tasted by NEDoc on 5/17/2010 & rated 87 points: One of the better Washington cabs I've had recently. Very different 3 hrs after opening than initially--much more fruit. Nose really became quite nice with darker fruits. Agree with previous posts though that finish is underwhelming. Nothing spectacular but nothing glaringly wrong either. (5794 views) | | | Tasted by omak on 4/30/2010 & rated 85 points: Contrived, uninteresting, nose was off, boring mid palate ,WHERES THE FRUIT? and a weak watery finish ... No likee (5671 views) | | | Tasted by Rossodio on 3/4/2010 & rated 86 points: Typical soft fruit of Columbia Valley cab, a very pleasant drinker but not specifically memorable. No flaws, but no outstanding characteristics. (5285 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Charles Smith Producer websiteCabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Columbia Valley Columbia Valley Winery Association |
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