October 19, 2016 - Very soft and uninteresting. Some fruit but not much else. Drink now or last year.
August 28, 2015 - PnP, dense ruby color, inviting nose, med- mouthfeel, med length finish with some dark fruit and oak, negligible tannins, no-fuss easy drinker.
August 11, 2015 - I also had this at the SoCal gathering. Please note that Cab Sauv is my least favorite of the red varietals and my nose/palate are very sensitive to oak. With that in mind:
Aroma: vanilla (oak?) and a bit of cocoa, black fruits
Color: dark red not translucent
Taste: dark fruits with some noticeable vanilla undertones and a nice chalky finish. Tannins were soft and well integrated.
Verdict: the oak was too noticeable for me (35% new oak in the specs somewhat confirms my first impression) and lacked a bit of acidity (felt a bit brooding) but not an objectionable wine by any means. If you enjoy cabs I don't see how you can go wrong. While it is not a great QPR in my opinion, it is priced right for what you are getting.
August 11, 2015 - I also tried this wine at the So. Cal #40 event. Sorry for being late but I have to agree this wine was easily the best to my palate. It was balanced and more of a complete wine from start to finish, I am not overly sensitive to oak so the little that was there seemed to enhance the wine IMHO. And I have always enjoyed Horse Heaven Hills fruit.
I will say an easy buy for $20 if you need some nice daily drinkers.
August 11, 2015 - Taster bottle #4 from SoCal #40 this weekend, anyone who's been to an event like this knows that the notes will be brief because there is simply too much wine and too much going on to take notes of real length.
Really nice black fruit nose with some spiciness in the background that added a nice layer to the wine. On the palate the wine carries nice fruit and the spiciness which I assume is from oak and then a bit of tannins comes in towards the finish. The finish is slightly tart but does not detract at all from the overall wine. Overall this was easily the best of the 4 tasting bottles we received and for me one of the better wines of the night. I think it's solid QPR at around the $20 per bottle it's listed here at.
August 11, 2015 - We had this last night at the SoCal gathering. This was my preferred wine of the rat wines, and was a nice combination of aromatics and a balanced palate. I was top busy enjoying the concert and company of fellow wooters to take significant notes, but this wine showed a bit of the oak while keeping the heft and balance I'd expect from a Washington Cabernet. I think aside from the slight bitterness this wine will please most.
April 23, 2015 - PnP. Good nose of dark fruit.
Plum and blueberry with a lush coating in the mouth. Tannins are not very noticable and a decent acidity. Medium finish caring the original flavor a little further. Nice wine at first blush but just not exciting. A fine everyday cabernet.
Second day - still holding its own with all the attributes of yesterday. Finish a little more interesting than I recalled from previous day.
Third day - starting to break apart. Fruit faded and overall balance not quite as good as good as previous days.
All in all this is a wine I would drink early, although It will probably last for several years.