JebDunnuck.com

• By Jeb Dunnuck
  The 2016s From Washington State, 4/11/2019 (link)

  (Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Red) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

• By Stephen Tanzer
  Focus on Washington: The New Normal (Nov 2018), 11/1/2018 (link)

  (Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Washington Red) Subscribe to see review text.

JamesSuckling.com

• By James Suckling
  3/18/2018 (link)

  (Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Red, United States) Subscribe to see review text.

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Abeja, 11/18/2018

  (Abeja Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon) Hello friends. We have the new vintage today of a benchmark Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s the ninth vintage in a row that we’ve offered—our first was the 2007, way back in May 2010—and 2018 wouldn’t feel complete without access to this wine:Abeja has been a hit amongst our list members for years, and is a rockstar example of what the Washington wine world can do. Abeja has always had talented winemakers at the helm, and in 2015/2016 Dan Wampfler (previously of Dunham Cellars) and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler (formerly the head winemaker at Sinclair Estate Vineyards) took over the reins. Dan and Amy are both outstanding winemakers in their own right, and it has been exciting to see what this married duo is doing at the helm of such a Washington wine darling. Last year’s releases, the 2014 vintage, marked the first with Dan and Amy’s influence, and 2015 moves us even more into the Dan and Amy show. Abeja has built its reputation on Cabernet Sauvignon; at their core, they believe that Cab is the best representation of Washington. Cab is iconic in our corner of the world—and Abeja has played a large role in continuing this trend through bottlings like this one. In the winery’s own words: This is the grape that we believe will increasingly be recognized as the icon varietal of Washington State and comprises the majority of our production. This Cabernet is stylish, elegant, and impeccably balanced. We accomplish this by meticulous viticultural management, utilization of a rare sorting system, gentle handling of the fruit and the wine, customized practices for every lot no matter how small, and carefully selected French oak. As always, the fruit comes from a diverse and highly regarded group of vineyards around Columbia Valley: Sagemoor farms, Kiona Heart of the Hill, Destiny Ridge, Abeja’s own Heather Hill estate. That is a pan-Washington all-star Cabernet lineup. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot; this wine saw 18 months of French oak, 70% new. It clocks in at 14.8% listed alc, and it aromatically comes right out with soaring berries, cassis, violet, baking spice, herbaceous top notes, and shortbread cookies. A complex, honest Cabernet nose. On the palate, spicy tobacco and fruit prevail, with bright acidity throughout and polished, powerful tannins. This is truly one of the flagship Cabernets produced in Washington, and year after year, it is heartily-loved by our list members. This year is no exception.