COLUMBIA-CREST RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2006

From Columbia Valley, Washington State. Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color. Very smooth with aromas of cocoa, dark cherries, and vanilla oak. On the palate there's lots of sweet tannins, mint, dusty cocoa, black cherry candy finish. Not a huge Cabernet by California or Washington standards. Medium bodied but still has some boldness.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89+PTS

The 2005 vintage of this wine received a 95 point score from Wine Spectator and is most likely in contention for a spot among the Top 10 wines of year on their forthcoming list. This effort is clearly not the same as the prior vintage but still enjoyable. For $25 a bottle, there's still great value here. I found the wine to be a bit too fruit forward and sweet at times. It begs for food and is not as enjoyable on its own.