Forsyth Brio 2008 Desert Wind Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $50

David Forysth oversees one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest winemaking facilities in Prosser, and yet he continues to produce and release some of the region’s most overlooked wines as part of his young Forsyth Brio brand. For this one-barrel project, he pulled from Desert Wind Vineyard, which is managed by Doug Fries of Duck Pond Cellars acclaim. The vines were 15-years-old at the time of harvest, and Forsyth has worked with site since 1996 when he was Hogue Cellars. Enticing aromas of blackberry pie, French vanilla, juniper berry and sage also pick up some tar and toasted oak tones. On the pour, there’s a bold entry of dark purple fruit flavors akin to black currant and blackberry with firm tannins, juicy boysenberry acidity and underlying dried herbs. It’s a mouthfilling wine, yet there’s plenty of fruit to provide support. This is one of Forsyth’s three Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings from the 2008 vintage, and these wines are just beginning to hit their stride. They are available at the Walter Clore Center and Bonnie’s Vine & Gift, both in Prosser, and in Richland at Fat Olives Restaurant.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 28 cases

Alcohol: 14.6%

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