The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a lush, silky, rich, round nose with fresh and ripe notes that seduce and delight. Full-bodied, fresh and yet still tight, the wine offers a balanced structure and lifting tannins that elevate the mid-palate followed by juicy, fruit-forward layers and delightful oak spices. The Cabernet continues to show its depth and breadth, compounding its natural beauty. The Cabernet lingers on the ever-evolving, food-friendly finish and will benefit from another two years of bottle aging. The wine rested for 22 months in 100% new French oak. 5,450 cases produced.
James Suckling (98)
Beautiful fruit concentration with blackberries, blackcurrants, dark chocolate and red licorice. Encompassing and wide on the palate. Waves of plush, finely grained tannins come through, pushing the depth and unveiling dark fruit that is ripe and delicious. Salty undertones, too.sage. Full-bodied with fine, smooth tannins that are soaked in ripe, dark fruit. So much complexity and intensity here. Focused and structured, with a guiding note of black and red currant. Suede and coffee. Very long finish.
BOW (9)
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is all Cabernet Sauvignon that's mostly from the Champoux Vineyard, with 10% from the Mach One Vineyard, which was planted in 2012. A big, ripe, opulent red, it has terrific aromatics of black currants, smoked tobacco, graphite, and loamy earth, medium to full-bodied richness, a round, opulent mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a heady finish. It doesn't match the all-time greats from this team, but it’s deep, rich, and clearly up with the crème de la crème of the vintage.
Vinous (96)
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley opens slowly. At first dark and understated, it gains lovely floral perfumes with each passing swirl of the glass, as rose-tinged black raspberries evolve, laced with nuances of sandalwood, lavender and dark, dark chocolate. This floods the palate with an elegant wave of ripe red and black fruits complemented by sweet exotic spice, all expertly lifted by a core of zesty acidity. The 2020 leaves balsamic nuances, with clove and cherry liquor, while tapering off lightly structured with fine yet silky tannins. The balance and energy here is remarkable for such a powerful young wine. The 2020 hails from 90% Champoux to 10% Mach One Vineyard’s.
Decanter (96)
Aromas of dark fruit and sandalwood announce this Cabernet, a blend of 5 clones, with 90% coming from the iconic Horse Heaven Hills site of Champoux Vineyards and the remainder from the Quilceda estate vineyard, Mach One perched above the Columbia River. Complementary bright florals deliver a real freshness and balance to the wine's aromatic profile. The palate is a study in balance and nuance if not finesse. Bright red and black fruits are interplayed against notes of graphite, tomato leaf and refreshing notes of wintergreen.
