Capstone Cellars 2009 Capstone Red, Yakima Valley, $15
Best Buy! A decade ago, there wasn’t much of a wine scene in southwestern Washington when winenmaker Roy Bays created this brand in Longview. He’s relied on Yakima Valley fruit throughout, and this blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc is their flagship. The nose leads with notes of raspberry, black currant, cherry and milk chocolate. Inside, there are flavors of plum juice and dusty blueberry with sandy tannins and solid acidity. This wine earned a silver medal at the 2014 Capital Food and Wine Festival Wine Competition.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 150 cases
Alcohol: 13.9%
Mike Dickson says
Thank you for the info on $15 and under wines. I’ve been a red wine fan for most of my adult life and now that I’m retired I must be frugal with wine costs. I appreciate the information, especially because I want to support Washington wines.
Andy Perdue says
Mike, thanks for the note. These are simply some of the wines we’ve tasted in recent weeks. Look for brands such as Columbia Crest, 14 Hands, Washington Hills, Waterbrook and Hogue and you’ll find a fair number of wines in that nice price range (reds and whites).