Although I've been enjoying many wines from my own local area (Santa Cruz Mtns, Paso Robles, etc.), I find I really do like the wines coming out of Washington state. They really seem to have come on over the past 10 years and are making lots of fantastic wines. One of my new favorite value brands is the high volume producer - Columbia Crest. (The sister brand of Chateau Saint Michelle.) They make some damn good wine for under $10!
I bought a bottle of the 2003 Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon a few months back. It was on sale at my local BevMo for $8.99. On opening I noticed the aromas were rather flat and restricted so I poured into a decanter and let it breathe for the rest of the day. After 5-6 hrs poured myself a glass and noticed an immediate improvement. The nose was now full of dark fruits and some sweet spices. I also found the flavors to be very lush, smooth and somewhat complex. Lots of cherries, blueberries and blackberries up front with hints of coffee, chocolate and menthol. The tannins were evident, but soft and there was also some mild oak. I really like this wine - especially for this price. In fact, I went back to a different store and bought the last few bottles they had of this vintage (on closeout for $7.99!)
This went very well with cheese and crackers as well as the spaghetti w/ sweet sausages we had for dinner a few days ago.
Please note that Columbia Crest makes several different lines ... the Reserve (top end) ... Grand Estates (middle) ... and Two Vines (lower end).
Enjoy!
I bought a bottle of the 2003 Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon a few months back. It was on sale at my local BevMo for $8.99. On opening I noticed the aromas were rather flat and restricted so I poured into a decanter and let it breathe for the rest of the day. After 5-6 hrs poured myself a glass and noticed an immediate improvement. The nose was now full of dark fruits and some sweet spices. I also found the flavors to be very lush, smooth and somewhat complex. Lots of cherries, blueberries and blackberries up front with hints of coffee, chocolate and menthol. The tannins were evident, but soft and there was also some mild oak. I really like this wine - especially for this price. In fact, I went back to a different store and bought the last few bottles they had of this vintage (on closeout for $7.99!)
This went very well with cheese and crackers as well as the spaghetti w/ sweet sausages we had for dinner a few days ago.
Please note that Columbia Crest makes several different lines ... the Reserve (top end) ... Grand Estates (middle) ... and Two Vines (lower end).
Enjoy!