usacab

2016  Cabernet Sauvignon

"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Waterhorse Ridge comes from a very small vineyard of about two acres - so small that the grapes are harvested together and co-vinified. It's generally a blend of about 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It was aged in about 25% new wood. Medium ruby-purple, it has a pretty nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, dust and classic touches of blackcurrant bud and bay leaf with notes of chocolate-covered blueberries, fresh tobacco leaves and violets. Medium-bodied, it offers delicate intensity of classic, pure Cabernet flavors, with an elegant frame of finely grained tannins and excellent freshness to lift the finish. I very much enjoy this clean, pure, refreshing and no-makeup-added style of Cabernet Sauvignon!" - 91pts WA

2011  (writing on label)

(writing on label)

2005  sl stained label

2019  by Thomas Rivers Brown

Made by Thomas Rivers Brown from a vineyard situated directly next to Dunn on Howell Mountain, this vibrant wine shows the power and restraint of Howell Mountain. "First, a powerful bouquet of rose petals, African violets, and lavender greet your nose. Next, wanting to show its true colors you will find balanced fruit attributes of Bing cherries, plums and cranberries on the palate. A mountain wine at heart, graphite and iron are also ever-present. In an effort to show its youthfulness, this medium bodied wine with lively acidity and inviting freshness finishes with energetic yet refined tannins." ---- Only 280 cases were made. ---- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon ---- Aging: 20 months in French Oak ---- Barrel Program: 27% new ---- 14.2% ABV ---- pH 3.82 ---- TA 6.1

2011  

"An immense, richly flavored effort, with lavish oak cloaked over dense blackberry, mocha, espresso, vanilla and crushed rock notes. Ends with a pleasing push of rich, charming fruit set against a wall of tannins." - 91pts WS

2005  

"Lush and dramatic. Shows intense flavors of black currants and cedar, wrapped into extremely fine tannins and liberally enhanced with sweet, smoky oak. Very good, but young and fresh. Best 2010–2013." - 91pts Wine Enthusiast (Tasted 7/2011)

2016  Sheridan Vyd., Yakima Valley

Since 1992, Powers Winery has produced wines from some of the finest vineyards in Washington State's Columbia Valley and beyond. Winemaker Greg Powers oversees these grapes from vine to bottle, producing wines of character and distinction. While much of their production is from their estate vineyards in Columbia Valley, they do make small quantities of Reserve Cabernets from outside appellations, such as Yakima Valley where the Sheridan Vineyard resides. As stated above, they are "vine to bottle", meaning they do not simply purchase fruit from these growers, but instead lease plots and work the vineyards themselves from prune, to bud break, to harvest. Their "Sheridan Vyd Reserve" is very small production, with no more than 550 cases made in an abundant vintage. In recent years they have not submitted their wines for review as each vintage sells out quickly without scores, and they see no reason to increase interest in the wine further when they already cannot fulfill the existing demand. However, wines made by other producers that source from the Sheridan Vyd have received as high as 99 points from Wine Advocate! This wine is a true gem of Washington State, and furthermore, I would say that if the label said "Napa" instead of "Yakima" this bottle would easily sell for three-to-four times the price!!

2016  

"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes from the Santa Cruz Mountain estate, and it follows its big brother Monte Bello's style with a terrific sense of elegance paired with richness. Lots of crème de cassis, crushed violets, vanilla, tobacco leaf, and cedar notes flow to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered Cabernet Sauvignon that has terrific purity, building tannins, and a great finish. It offers pleasure today yet won't hit prime time for another 5-7 years, and it's going to evolve for 15-20 years (probably longer)." - 94+pts JD -- "Once again an overachiever, Ridge's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is regal. Aromatically intense and deep on the palate, the 2016 proves to be utterly captivating from the very first taste. Dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, dried flowers, leather and menthol infuse the 2016 with remarkable complexity. In 2016, the last year of the drought cycle Ridge made one of the very best editions of this wine. Just as remarkably, the 2016 is incredibly harmonious for such a young wine." - 94pts Vinous

2018  Rutherford, Napa

2010  

"The 2010 Vin Perdu is gorgeous. Plums, black currants, grilled herbs, tar and licorice are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in this full-bodied, intense wine. A dark, rich, voluptuous red, the 2010 Vin Perdu shows Heidi Barrett at her best. Hints of menthol, tar, licorice and pencil shavings are layered into the powerful, inviting finish. The 2010 is loaded with serious depth and power. In 2010 the blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Petit Sirah, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot." - 94pts Vinous

2004  Sori Bricco Vyd Diamond Mountain District

"Von Strasser’s 2004 Proprietary Red from the Sori Bricco Vineyard consists of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, all aged in 100% French oak. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, a wonderful supple character, lots of cedary, earthy, leathery and cassis notes, and medium to full body." - 91 pts Robert Parker (Tasted 4/2014)