Dead Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon 22

Over the last twenty years, Washington State has quietly become one of the best places on the planet to grow Bordeaux varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly grown in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, showcases the power and richness of California Cabernet while highlighting the balance, lift, and finesse of Bordeaux. The result is a beautiful marriage of old and new world styles that continues to please the palates of wine lovers worldwide.

The beautiful rolling slopes of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA in Washington's Columbia Valley would make a perfect backdrop for any blockbuster Western movie. The dramatic, windswept landscape meets crystal clear blue skies, and you can't help thinking there's a posse close by getting ready to ride off into the sunset. The picturesque, albeit brutal, landscape and the harsh arid climate punish the vines -- history has taught us that suffering vines always produce the best wines.

Early settlers established vast networks of horse and cattle ranches and prospered until harsh winds, brutal temperatures, and arid conditions plagued the region for decades. Fast-forward to the early 1970s when Don and Linda Mercer planted the first grapes. They were the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in what is now known as the "Champoux Vineyard," one of Washington State's most famous and celebrated vineyards.

The Mercer family is a true steward of the land. While they're certainly top-notch vignerons who helped put Washington State on the viticultural map, they're notably farmers first. They prefer to be considered Agriculturists -- adhering to strict environmental and social values that respect and protect the land. In addition to world-class wine production, their diversified holdings span 12,000 acres of multi-faceted farmland along the Columbia River. Their ever-growing production includes acres of carrots, garlic, corn, kale, wheat, potatoes, onions, and broccoli.

The fruit for Dead Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced entirely from the family's "Estate Vineyards" in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The warm days and cool nights of late summer, combined with the family's nearly fanatical attention to crop levels, produce a gorgeous Cabernet with perfect ripeness and an outstanding balance of power and brightness.

In your glass, this stunning Cabernet opens with aromas of mocha and black and red berry compote, combined with hints of baking spice and subtle notes of smoky oak. The gorgeous blueberry, blackberry, and black cherry notes on the mid-palate are framed by chocolate, coffee, and an ever-so-gentle oak spice, all lingering in perfect harmony through the lengthy finish. The palate is super silky, with perfectly ripe, powdery tannins, making this voluptuous Cab equally suitable for casual sipping or paired with your favorite steak.

If you're a West Coast Cab lover, don't miss this one. I source this through the same connections that bring us many of the fantastic deals from Europe, so you know the quality-price ratio with this one is off the charts.

Insider Note:
This was a smash hit at our May Spring Fling Open House Tasting and was sold out in the first hour of the event. We'll have this one on the tasting machine this week, so you can try before you buy!