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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.3 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 90 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by DaneM on 12/9/2023: Perfectly aged daily drinker. Very mellow, lovely. (179 views) | | | Tasted by orange boy on 11/3/2023 & rated 92 points: Nice full, nice cost wine (207 views) | | | Tasted by SICILIAN-SOLE on 11/11/2019 & rated 87 points: over the hill. Drink up! (1219 views) | | | Tasted by hiker_guy on 8/16/2019: Slightly past peak but still drinking very well.
Nose of leather, tobacco
Palate was smooth as silk, with very nice secondary notes of sweet tobacco and leather.
Decent medium length finish.
Well done for a $20 bottle of wine. Punched far above its price point.
Would buy again. (1234 views) | | | Tasted by WAstateToDC on 4/14/2018 & rated 93 points: Surprisingly good! The cork was very soft and broke apart but luckily it wasn't corked. Drinking great now...don't wait any longer. (1648 views) | | | Tasted by Whine-oh on 2/21/2017 & rated 91 points: P n P table side at upscal RSF rest. Went swimmingly w/ flank steak n short ribs. No flaws, easy drinking. Soft mouthfeel. Mild tannins. Nice red fruit n phenols on nose. Nice WA cab in a good place tonight. Solid QPR. Drink and enjoy now. (2538 views) | | | Tasted by neruda11 on 11/10/2016 & rated 91 points: Revisited and 30 min after pulling the cork, it was drinking just fine. LOVE the value of this wine!! (2851 views) | | | Tasted by chifred on 8/6/2016 & rated 90 points: Open 1 hour, RT. Subtle nose with blackberry and blueberry with hint of graphite and hint of cocoa. Light to mid weight with moderate tannins which faded over the evening and some acid. Spice and hint of fruit on palate. Well structured and smooth. (2378 views) | | | Tasted by neruda11 on 12/28/2015 & rated 90 points: In my top 5 bang for the bucks...opened and drank 90min later...I'm guessing didn't need that long, though. Drank over 90 further minutes with no regression. (3253 views) | | | Tasted by hiker_guy on 9/4/2015: Very nice wine.
Nose was mesmerizing in it's subtle notes of dark fruit, spice and complex leather/tobacco notes.
Palate was rich, complex, balanced and very long.
This drank like a nicely aged 2nd growth from St. Julien. (3299 views) | | | Tasted by dankrems on 2/28/2015 & rated 89 points: Black fruit and a hint of smoke on the nose. Blackberries and blueberries are in the lead, with some shades of graphite and spice. Tannins have melted a bit. Not a tremendously complex wine but a nice value for the price. Probably at peak now. (3060 views) | | | Tasted by dankrems on 4/12/2014 & rated 91 points: Was a bit thin and tart out of the bottle but what a difference after 90 minute decant. The wine filled in nicely with a bit more fruit coming forward and touches of spice and leather. Not an outstanding wine but certainly a good one and a winner at this price point. (3711 views) | | | Tasted by Steve in St Cloud on 7/13/2013 & rated 92 points: Last bottle. Hadn't tried it in a while. initial presentation had mellowed, tannin had softened and new notes moved forward - vanilla, berry. A wish I had purchased more. Drink Now (4094 views) | | | Tasted by lewisrise on 6/15/2013 & rated 91 points: Great QPR. Dark cherry and tobacco (3351 views) | | | Tasted by rhpolk on 5/4/2013 & rated 92 points: What a great WA cab. It really does drink more like a Pinot with the cherry flavors, but I like it! Especially at that price point. I'm a Napa Cab guy, but if I want a Pinot like Cab, this is it! (3168 views) | | | Tasted by wahoo70 on 9/6/2012 & rated 91 points: Pure, bright and harmonious. Transparent ruby color; fruit-centric nose, with blackcurrants on popping, giving way to blackberries, and dark chocolate in the background; pure, clean, rich fruit flavors (black cherries, blackberries, cranberries) with a savory note and bitter coffee as well; chewy but well-balanced tannins, leading into a long, tangy finish with cherries and berries. Delicious - yet another great and well-priced Washington cab. (3619 views) | | | Tasted by Wink on 6/22/2012 & rated 93 points: Nothing to add to previous notes (most recent 4/2/12). Really drinking well. May be at its peak. Delicious wine. (2840 views) | | | Tasted by bcmatthias on 5/16/2012 & rated 90 points: Smooth finish, plum and spice (2244 views) | | | Tasted by jerseycj on 4/22/2012 & rated 92 points: Smooth, delicious - long finish, hope I can find more !! Very enjoyable. (2517 views) | | | Tasted by Wink on 4/2/2012 & rated 92 points: Popped and poured. Nose of cedar, blackberry, and smoke. Medium palate of blueberry, cassis, vanilla, and spice. Excellent length. Focused acidity. Sweet tannins. Subtle oak. Down to my last couple of bottles. (2240 views) | | | Tasted by Wink on 10/14/2011 & rated 92 points: I haven't had a bottle since February. No new observations except that it is drinking exceptionally well. Delicious! (2620 views) | | | Tasted by Wine Sparty on 7/22/2011 & rated 93 points: Opened a couple hours before drinking with London broil. Aroma of plum and tobacco, as well as a hint of tobacco. Dark fruit taste of blackberry, black licorice and plum, with a bit of acidity yet also very smooth going down. This seemed like it had a good amount of Merlot in it, yet was surprised that it only has 5%. This is really enjoyable, and one where WS was not wrong with its praise. Fantastic QPR. (2796 views) | | | Tasted by Domer99 on 4/1/2011 & rated 90 points: Decanted for 1.5 hours and drank over another 2+ hours with lamb in mole. I was surprised that HS liked it so much, as I didn't find as much fruit as I expect of a wine that he rates so highly. rather, there were a number of intriguing secondary flavors: coffee, dark chocolate, smoke, tobacco. All very nice (and very nice with mole), but it could have used a little more fruit on the initial attack. I think WS overscored, but a solid bottle of wine from a great pricepoint. (3223 views) | | | Tasted by Steve in St Cloud on 3/27/2011 & rated 92 points: through venturi ten 30 of air. Garnet color, hint of berries. long satisfying finish. (3367 views) | | | Tasted by Wink on 2/17/2011 & rated 91 points: Clear dark garnet. Nose of currant, smoke, and black cherry. Medium palate of ripe blackberry, plum, minerals. Very good length. Mild oak, Energetic acidity. Supple tannins. Balanced and elegant. (3386 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2009, IWC Issue #147
(Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Sean Sullivan
Washington Wine Report (9/30/2009)
(Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley) 2006 has some palate coating oak, in a pleasant way. The wine largely pulls it off. Starts with a very plush entry before pulling back a bit and getting a slightly sharp element that lingers on the palate. A lot to swirl around and ponder over. Fun earthy elements. A good palate with the exception of the slight dip in the mid-palate. On the 2006, chilled back to 62 degrees. A lot of toasted oak and spice aromas. Black pepper and earth are still there. Does seem to show a lot of Cab Franc influence strangely. The taste seems considerably more thin when the wine is cooler. It becomes richer on the palate as it warms up. Tannins definitely pull back here on a more acid-driven, oak-textured wine. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. I KNEW there was some Cab Franc in this wine :). 3,832 cases produced. 14.4% alcohol. *** 1/2 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Washington Wine Report. (manage subscription channels) |
| Cabernet 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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