- Tinte Cellars donation drive for Ukraine enters final week
- Jackson Family Wines invests in Walla Walla vines, wines
- 2022 Idaho Winery of the Year: Holesinsky Vineyard and Winery
- 2022 Idaho Winery to Watch: Rivaura Vineyards and Winery
- 2022 Washington Winery of the Year: Westport Winery Garden Resort
- 2022 Washington Winery to Watch: Liberty Lake Wine Cellars
- 2022 Oregon Winery of the Year: Chris James Cellars
- Long path of Andrew Riechers leads to early acclaim for Audeant Wines
- The Wine Knows: Upchurch hits sweet spot with Cab on Red Mountain
- Northwest Merlot remains memorable in talented hands
Columbia Crest 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $35
The latest releases of these reserve help remind us that Columbia Crest deserves to be mentioned in the discussion when talking about Washington state’s premier producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. After all, remember that Wine Spectator named Ray Einberger’s 2005 Reserve Cab as its No. 1 wine of 2009. His successor, the talented Juan Muñoz Oca, showcases the telltale power and age-worthiness of Red Mountain reds in this selection, which opens with hints of chips from a Ghiradelli dark chocolate bar, black cherry, blackberry and coffee. On the attack is a smooth delivery of mouth-filling tannins and plenty of fruit to support that structure with red plum, cherry and black currant. The theme of dark chocolate continues — a product of the barrel program of 18 months in 100% new French oak — all the way through the terrific finish of black olive, anise, vanilla and espresso grounds.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 175 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
0 comments