Cellardoor Winery 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, American, $26

McKinley Springs Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills and a vineyard on Red Mountain that Maine winemaker Aaron Peet is not allowed to disclose combined to give the Pine Tree State brand its first Platinum for Cab. The core of dark fruit comes with leather, chai spices, eucalyptus and savory black olive notes. There’s an endearing edginess from the Red Mountain influence, an underlying power that will serve this bottling well in the cellar. Peet has produced a whopping 17 Platinum awards for winery owner Bettina Doulton in just the past three years of Cellardoor’s participation. Awards: San Francisco Chronicle (gold), Cascadia International (best of class/gold).

Rating: Platinum, 91 points

Production: 467 cases

Alcohol: 14.5%

Winery website

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