Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.
Washington State excels with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, especially in Columbia Valley, east of the Cascade Mountains, where they benefit from the long, dry growing season. Today we highlight some of our top picks from recent tastings.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Washington's leading varieties, making balanced and expressive wines like Avennia's Bordeaux-style blend. Former Microsoft executive Marty Taucher was interning at DeLille in 2009 when he met winemaker Chris Peterson. They launched Avennia the following year, focusing on Bordeaux and Rhône grapes.
Fans of Merlot have some enticing choices here, including the structured red from Lake Chelan. Founded by the Kludt family, it was the first winery to open in the nascent Lake Chelan subappellation, along the northwestern border of the Columbia Valley AVA.
Cabernet Franc is an emerging star in Washington. Vintners traditionally blend the grape with its stable mates Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but it increasingly shines on its own. The Tamarack and Columbia versions show what the state can achieve with this grape.
APEX Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2015
Sleek and tightly focused, with structured blackberry, stony mineral and tea flavors that build tension toward well-groomed tannins. Drink now through 2025. 1,278 cases made.
AVENNIA Gravura Columbia Valley 2016
Vibrant and well-knit, with expressive cherry, toasted spice and smoked herb flavors that take on structure toward the broad-shouldered tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2025. 900 cases made.
COLUMBIA Cabernet Franc Horse Heaven Hills 2016
Sleek and refined, offering expressive cherry and blueberry flavors accented by lead pencil and tobacco notes, finishing with well-buffed tannins. Drink now through 2024. 886 cases made.
TAMARACK Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley 2016
Precise and expressive, with elegantly layered blueberry, dusty herb and coffee bean flavors that take on polish toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024. 1,512 cases made.
LAKE CHELAN Merlot Lake Chelan 2016
Lithe and well-structured, with black cherry and floral herb garden aromas that take on complexity toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024. 600 cases made.
REININGER Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Helix Phinny Hill Vineyard 2014
Poised and well-made, with medium-bodied black cherry, tobacco and coffee bean flavors. Drink now through 2024. 357 cases made.
MT. FURY Merlot Wahluke Slope 2016
A vibrant red, with lively red currant and toasted spice flavors that finish on a snappy, juicy note. Drink now through 2023. 10,879 cases made.