8 Washington Cabs to drink now

Cabernet is king amid Washington red wines.

The grape best known in France’s Bordeaux and California’s Napa Valley also is big in Washington, where 35,900 tons were crushed last fall.

Cabernet Sauvignon is grown throughout the Columbia Valley, and it performs especially well in the Horse Heaven Hills, on Red Mountain and on the Wahluke Slope, as well as in the Walla Walla and Yakima valleys.

Cab from Washington has gained a great deal of attention in recent years thanks to two particular events:

• The Wine Advocate has awarded Quilceda Creek Vintners’ Cabernet Sauvignon perfect 100-point scores for 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007.
• The Wine Spectator ranked Columbia Crest’s 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon the world’s No. 1 wine in 2009.

We have tasted many delicious Cabs recently. Here are eight that stand out.