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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 89.3 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 24 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by byaegerjr on 12/29/2019 & rated 92 points: This wine is still drinking amazingly well. Plenty of fruit and some remaining silky tannins. (673 views) | | | Tasted by sakemakibug on 2/26/2014 & rated 92 points: nice pencil lead nose and all y'know and nice retained fruit with a mid level of trails on finish (2539 views) | | | Tasted by Malia Ten Yulna on 6/28/2010: This medium bodied cab did its duty, especially for the price point. Well rounded, smooth tannins, lingering finish. Overall, it was a polite neighbor, did not take over and try to dominate but appropriately entered conversation and added to the meal, hung on for a while and then thanked us and said good night. I would buy this again. (4182 views) | | | Tasted by Druidh on 5/14/2009 & rated 92 points: Fully mature cab that is at its peak. Great bouquet of black cherries and blackberries filled the room along with some cedar box. Medium weight but fully flavored wine with the cherries and dark fruit being in perfect balance with the acid and the tannin. Nice long finish that ended with enough tannin and acid to clear the palate for the next sip. Great wine with a simple grilled steak. (4329 views) | | | Tasted by schuey on 3/15/2009 & rated 88 points: Dark fruits and tobacco on the nose. Very tannic right out of the bottle, but that smooths out after 30 minutes. Interesting wine that I found very enjoyable. (4330 views) | | | Tasted by HappyWineGuy on 2/13/2009 & rated 88 points: A nice cab that doesn't hold up long in the glass. It may be reaching the end. (3980 views) | | | Tasted by Mike Bates on 12/27/2007 & rated 92 points: Very well balanced, old world style Cab. I've had this one in my cellar for 3 years and it was a pleasure to open up. Black currant and cherry fruit with a touch of leather and cigar box on the nose. In the mouth it has spices and a bit of wet rock to it. It is very well balanced between the tannins and the acidity. This is a classic Washington Cab...very nice! (2954 views) | | | Tasted by tederf on 4/15/2007 & rated 88 points: Fairly light bodied at this stage. Tannins pretty much "gone." Little fruit on the nose. Pleasant enough in the mouth without any bte or lingering aftertaste. (2615 views) | | | Tasted by RomanKJ on 3/22/2007: I liked it less than most on CT. Not sure I'd buy again. (2763 views) | | | Tasted by kafka3 on 3/5/2007 & rated 88 points: Drinking very well right now. Glad I laid it down until now. Wish I had more. (2693 views) | | | Tasted by sdatl on 8/21/2006 & rated 90 points: Very elegant, refined, and well-balanced, with cedar, chocolate, and currant notes and sweet tannins on the finish; I would buy this again. (2892 views) | | | Tasted by GlenD on 11/23/2005 & rated 82 points: Past the fruit forward stage and now showing leathery carmel notes. (3317 views) | | | Tasted by JasonD on 3/14/2005 & rated 89 points: Not typical WA Cab. Almost Bordeaux like aromas of cedar and earth followed by casis and blackberries. The palate is very smooth with rounded tannins and dry fruit. The finish is medium to short. (3477 views) | | | Tasted by mouton45 on 2/10/2005 & rated 90 points: At Al G/s with dinner of lamb burgers, spaghetti squash and pasta sauce. Very nice. Seems evolved, ready to drink. Rich cab nose (3895 views) |
| Chateau Ste. Michelle 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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