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Columbia Crest 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $45

By Great Northwest Wine on May 18, 2016

Ray Einberger’s team could rightfully claim “Crest is Best” after the 2005 vintage of this wine was named No. 1 in the world by Wine Spectator. Sugar Ray’s protégé/successor, Juan Muñoz Oca, pulled from Columbia Basin vineyards Beverly and StoneTree as well as Shaw on Red Mountain in this warm, yet marvelously balanced vintage. More than two years in a barrel program of primarily new French oak offers aromatic hints of stepping into a coffee house, opening the door to fruit notes of Chukar Cherry and boysenberry along with touches of fig, caramel and maple syrup. The drink is robust and complex, leading with Bing cherry and dark strawberry flavors. Broad shoulders of tannins and bright acidity lift those dark red fruit tones, which are carried into a long finish of Montmorency cherry and baking spices. The Argentine winemaker suggests serving it with hearty stews and grilled meats, but this bottling is limited to the winery and online sales.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 4,200 cases

Alcohol: 14.8%

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About Great Northwest Wine

Articles authored by Great Northwest Wine are co-authored by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.