Columbia Crest honcho Juan Muñoz Oca officially lists himself as the “co-winemaker” for this bottling because consumers offered suggestions online throughout the process for this inaugural CrowdSourced Cabernet Sauvignon from Crest’s Block 10. (Work on the 2015 vintage continues). The focus is on hand-picked, nocturnally harvested Cabernet Sauvignon (87%) with contributions of Malbec (7%), Petit Verdot (4%) and Merlot (2%), without any influence of the sometimes herbal Cabernet Franc. For the barrels, they selected 30 percent new oak. It all adds up to aromas of dusty blackberry, cherry and red currant with touches of iron and charcoal. Inside, it is filled with cherries and chocolate, making for a smooth and round texture that’s a joy to drink. That tannin management allows for a juicy boysenberry finish. These wines are available online and at the Columbia Crest tasting room in Paterson, Wash.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 1,000 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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