Manu Propria Winery 2010 Ex Animo Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, $35

Winemaker Mike Macmorran focuses his efforts on the grapes of famed Red Willow Vineyard in the western Yakima Valley. Macmorran learned his winemaking skills at DeLille Cellars and Mark Ryan Winery and now has started this small, focused project. The wine opens with aromas of crushed leaf, cedar and alluring notes of red plum, graphite, black olive and oak. On the palate, it reveals flavors of plump dark fruit, including blackberry and plum, as well as dark chocolate and black olive. It’s all backed with sturdy tannins and good acidity.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 170 cases

Alcohol: 14.7%

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