Robert Smasne focuses much of his program on his home turf of the Yakima Valley, which officially includes Red Mountain as a sub-American Viticultural Area. Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2012 vintage off Scooteney Flats – a part of the Vinagium project – earned accolades last year along the West Coast, and grower Damon LaLonde’s work with this vineyard shines here, too. Aromas of fresh cedar, dark cherry, raspberry and chocolate include caramel and cherry pipe tobacco. It’s backed by a ripe and plush combination of cassis and raspberry which make for a structure of elegance rather than power, capped by Montmorency cherry acidity.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 47 cases
Alcohol: 14.2%
Subscribe to Thursday’s Wine of the Week newsletter
Leave a Reply