This is the grape that the winery believes will increasingly be recognized as the icon varietal of Washington State and comprises the majority of their production. This Cabernet is stylish, elegant, and impeccably balanced. Abeja accomplishes this by meticulous viticultural management, utilization of a rare sorting system, gentle handling of the fruit and the wine, customized practices for every lot no matter how small, and carefully selected French oak.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful combination of sturdy structure and polished finesse. Balanced tannins and acidity provide the structure needed for excellent aging and will reward those who tuck it away for a bit.
The nose leads off with plum, bright blackberry, and dark bing cherries. A touch of dried blueberry rounds out the fruit profile. Floral notes and cocoa, with nuances of cedar and spice, are sprinkled throughout. All of these characters follow through on the palate and, with a pleasant minerality and continuity, weave a tapestry of complexity and youthful exuberance.
Pair this Cabernet Sauvignon with lamb. Also recommend duck or goose breast on a bed of grains with wild mushrooms.
"Plenty of blackcurrants and blueberries with a hit of new wood, too. Medium body, slightly firm tannins and a flavorful finish. This still needs some time to come together. Cabernet sauvignon with 1% petit verdot. Better after 2021."
- James Suckling (June 2020), 92 pts
"Dark ruby, the 2017 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a bold and structured nose with layers of complex aromas of juicy cherry, blackberry, dusty plum, dried herbs, bitter dark chocolate and soft herbaceous green notes. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is full in flavor, displaying a balanced structure that gives pleasure with qualities of spiced black cherry, dusty plum skin and soft mocha expressions that continue to evolve on the persistent, elongated finish. Give this delicious and succulent wine a try. - Anthony Mueller"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (October 2020), 91+ pts
"Offers finesse and structure with elegantly expressive blackberry, basil and black olive flavors that build richness towards polished tannins. Drink now through 2028. - TF"
- Wine Spectator (October 2019), 94 pts
"Attractive dark plums and berries make for an attractive nose that carries a sense of ripe fruit with freshness intact. The palate follows suit with a sleek, rich serving of blackberries and blackcurrants, framed in smooth-honed tannins. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling, 93 pts
"(50% new oak; bottled in August of 2017): Dark, bright medium ruby. Classic varietal aromas of cassis, black cherry, violet and licorice are accented by notes of crushed rock and orange zest. Juicy but still tightly wound; perhaps a bit oakier than it should be and thus the flavors of dark berries, spices and orange zest are showing a touch of leanness today. Finishes with a serious dusting of tannins and very good length. Today this wine is not showing the fleshy character of the 2014 but it appears to possess the balance to reward patience.- Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2018), 91+ pts
"Dense and well-structured, with brawny black cherry, smoked spice and anise flavors that take on power toward broad-shouldered tannins. Best from 2021 through 2025. 2,474 cases made. - TF"
- Wine Spectator (August 2018), 90 pts
"(14.7% alcohol; mostly from Bacchus and Dionysos vineyards): Healthy dark red. Nicely ripe, nuanced aromas of black- and redcurrant, blueberry, licorice, fresh herbs and tobacco leaf. Deep, spicy, chewy Cabernet with lovely acidity giving shape and clarity to its flavors of blueberry, blackberry, cassis and bitter chocolate. Very nicely balanced, long wine with firm tannins that avoid dryness. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (October 2016), 90+ pts
"Broad and open-textured, with nubby tannins around a focused core of black cherry, roasted meat and sage flavors, picking up a chocolate note as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2020. 2,946 cases made. – HS"
- Wine Spectator (October 2015), 91 pts
"The 2012 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is brilliant. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 23 months in 60% new French oak, it boasts classic Cabernet notes of dark currants, crushed rock, bouquet garni and earth. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine that has good concentration, nicely integrated acidity and tons of character. Like a lot of 2012s, there’s enough texture and fruit here to keep it enjoyable, but it will also age beautifully. Drink 2017-2032. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- The Wine Advocate (erobertparker.com, June 2015), 91 pts
"Good enough to be a reserve, this includes just 4% Merlot and the rest is all Cabernet. Smooth and supple, with lovely toasty aromatics, it layers rich cherry fruit against the lush barrel spices. A companionable wine, already drinking beautifully, but perfectly fine to cellar for up to a decade. - PG"
"A plush style, brimming with gorgeous plum and currant fruit framed with dark chocolate, smoky meat and spice flavors. Finishes with power and sleek balance. Drink now through 2017. 1,830 cases made. - HS"
"The fruit for the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley came from the Sagemoor and Red Mountain vineyards. The wine is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it sports a fragrant perfume of toasty oak, mineral, cassis, violets, and blackberry. Round, rich, and concentrated on the palate, this lengthy effort will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and will offer optimum drinking from 2013 to 2023"
eRobertParker.com (Issue#196, August 2011), 91 pts
Go To Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Distinctly savory, with a meaty, herbal character to the modest berry and spice flavors, riding through the finish against refined tannins. Drink now through 2015. 2,482 cases made. - HS "
"60% new French oak; a blend from multiple vineyard sources. Bright ruby-red. Complex aromas of blueberry, blackberry, bitter chocolate, leather, licorice and violet reminded me a bit of top Mendoza Malbec. Suave and seamless in the mouth, with insinuating dark berry, licorice and spice flavors filling the mouth without showing any heaviness. Finishes dry and long, with fully integrated tannins. This fine-grained Cabernet is deceptively approachable now but should age gracefully. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (November 2015), 92 pts
"Taut and focused, offering a sleek mouthful of licorice-accented blackberry and coffee flavors that come together seamlessly on the polished finish. This has a sense of elegance. Drink now through 2021. 1,740 cases made. –HS"
- Wine Spectator (October 15th 2014), 92 pts
The word Abeja (Spanish for ‘bee’) is a beautifully simple term to describe one of nature’s hardest workers of the land. Abeja Winery owner Ken Harrison and wife Ginger chose ...
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