Tri-City Herald
November 20, 2018

With Thanksgiving here, it’s time to consider wines for winter holidays and cold winter nights. The first to come to mind is Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, a bold red that has been coming into its own during the past decade.

As recently as 10 years ago, Washington Cabs were built often with impenetrable tannins and driven by oak. Too often the fruit was sadly masked by the bold structure.

Fortunately, winemaking has evolved. Washington winemakers now apply techniques that have made the wines more supple, more approachable and more fruit-driven. Contributing to this are the emergence of sites in the Horse Heaven Hills and on Red Mountain. Winemakers also are relying on years of experience and weather forecasts to make better decisions at harvest. Once the juice is in the cellar, winemaking teams are using new blending concepts and techniques. The results are more thoughtful, approachable wines that have allowed Cabernet Sauvignon’s uniquely Washington style to emerge from the shadows while also not compromising on the wine’s ability to age or veer away from varietal correctness.

Here are six examples of Cab from Washington we’ve tasted recently. Ask for them at your favorite wine merchant or contact the wineries directly.>>>Read the entire article featuring Sparkman Cellars on Tri-City Herald