Origin: Columbia Valley, WA
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2015
Alcohol: 14.1
Price point: $14
Year Reviewed: 2018
Another great find from a large tasting event, this Washington State Cabernet arouses your interest and senses. Had to purchase a bottle to evaluate and blog on. By now, some may have “picked up” on how much I enjoy wines and grapes from Washington State. I believe they are not given the fame they should be….but maybe that will change in the next 10 years. Sharecropper’s winery was started around 1999 and here is the history.
http://www.owenroe.com/About-Us
This clear deep ruby colored wine appears with a medium color intensity. Despite a bit of allergies acting up today, the nose of this wine gives off aromas of the gamey, meaty, leathery type of wines I usually love to savor. Medium tannins, medium acidity, and medium body with intense flavors upon opening that are full of spices like red pepper and white pepper. Flavors of licorice, pungent spices, vegetals like cabbage and black olives are evident also. After getting some air or upon decanting, this wine rounds itself out to become more integrated in those flavors, giving a successful and excitable Cabernet on the palate. I do hear requests that many wine lovers, want a 100% cabernet sauvignon and do not want any blended grape with it. Well, here it is…..a beautiful 100% Cab Sauvignon rated around 87 points by various wine critics. Compare this $14 value from Columbia Valley, WA to some $35 California wines that may not even be 100% Cab Sauvignon. Truly 100% Cab Sauvignons are not hard to make, but are hard to make well…….that is the rub.
Bottled in Benton City, WA, this enjoyable Cab finished hot and spicy upon opening and after rounding out, finished much gentler but still held a longer finish. If you enjoy pungent spice and extreme flavors, drink upon opening; if you prefer a mellower rounded out wine, decant or open up 2 hours before serving. Enjoy this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, as it appears that more blending is occurring with Cab’s in the US and 100% Cab’s are becoming rarer. Also be reminded that even though a California wine may state Cabernet Sauvignon on the label, there very well may be other varietals blending with your Cab.
Try this wine with beef, lamb and heavier dishes.