Cloudlift Cellars “Halcyon” Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
The gritty backbone of tannins with a whiff of burnt sage and cedar. Plump red fruit flavors take a backseat to eucalyptus. There is great length here, making for a beautiful Cabernet. Wine Rating: 92 Points
Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills
Aromas of cassis and wild fennel are coupled with lush tannins and spreadable fruit. There’s enough freshness to keep it all together and enough earthy chocolate to keep things lively. Wine Rating: 91 Points
Seven Hills Winery Red, Walla Walla Valley
A Bordeaux style red, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot in the blend. Cedar and wildflowers frame a classy move into old-world finesse. Flavors of Asian five-spice and sun-dried cherries flesh out this beautiful bottling. Wine Rating: 93 Points
Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel, Rockpile Road Vineyard
This is beautiful zin that manages to balance its heft with a lashing of fresh acidity. A full-bodied wine with meltingly soft tannins, it is oozing with dense red fruit. Accents of mocha and oak spices on the mid-palate and a smoked vanilla note comes through in the peppery finish. Wine Rating: 91 Points
Domaine de Fabregues “Le Coeur Pezenas” Languedoc
Mostly Syrah, this bottle is a wild ride into meat town. Beef jerky and smoked game are the core notes, with just a hint of minerality on the finish. There’s some carignan (about 20%) which offers a hint of tobacco and toasted marjoram. Plenty of dark fruit flavors and olive tapenade in the finish. Wine Rating: 93 Points