Woodinville winemaker Mike Metheny doesn’t need to rely on a magician — “le bateleur” — for this 100 percent Cab from respected Red Mountain vineyards Corvus and Heart of the Hill. The program of 70% new French oak barrels sets the tone for a rather hedonistic Cab, offering aromas of dark toast and plums on parchment paper with cherry candy, eucalyptus and resin. Plums and … [Read more...] about Three of Cups 2013 Le Bateleur Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $40
Washington
L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, $36
Cabernet Franc, first planted at Seven Hills in 1997, long has played an integral role in Marty Clubb’s high-end Perigee program. A decade ago, in 2006, this Lowden, Wash., schoolhouse began to showcase it as a standalone bottling. During the historically hot 2013 vintage, they began to pick this on Sept. 20 and the average ripeness measured out at a 26.2 Brix for the cropload … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, $36
Maryhill Winery 2013 Les Collines Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $40
Highly regarded Les Collines Vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains provided the fruit for this 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, and winemaker Richard Batchelor crafted it into a gold medal wine. Its nose offers sweet herbs, dark cherries and blueberries followed on the palate by blackberries, blueberries and chalky tannins that close with some dark chocolate. This earned a … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2013 Les Collines Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $40
Plain Cellars 2013 Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley, $28
This little winery north of Leavenworth in the town of Plain, Wash., has been on our radar for a couple of years, thanks to the immense quality of its red wines. This Cab Franc is a new variety for vintner Bob Sage, who brought in fruit from Chandler Reach Vineyard not far from Red Mountain. Aromas of succulent spices from 100% French oak aging meld with notes of black currant … [Read more...] about Plain Cellars 2013 Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley, $28
Ross Andrew Winery 2013 The Huntsman Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! Ross Andrew Mickel labeled this bargain Cabernet Sauvignon "The Huntsman," and it clearly hits the mark at any price. It displays aromas and flavors of blackberries, John Robertson raspberries and cassis, then finishes with restrained tannins and a bit of chocolate. This earned a gold medal at the 2016 Cascadia Wine Competition. Rating: Outstanding! Production: … [Read more...] about Ross Andrew Winery 2013 The Huntsman Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $15