From: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot
Taste & Critical Acclaim: 98 points Anthony Mueller - Wine Advocate: "Generous on the nose, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with stewed fruit and lavish French oak tones. The wine is beginning to peak, as soft wilted plum flavors sway on the palate before moving to plum reduction, cooked fruits, baked cherry skin and reduced blackberry jus, showing the evolution of the bottle. I've had the pleasure of sampling this bottle many times before, but now, the wine is coming to the end of its life and should be consumed in the next couple of years. If this is in your cellar, start thinking about that special occasion to open it. What better way to honor this wonderful wine." (04/2021)
100
Wine Advocate
Review Date: 06/2013
From a hot vintage and incredible any way you look at it, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon has that laser-like focus of a cooler year, yet the voluptuousness and richness of a warmer year. Smoked black fruits, coffee, truffle and pen ink-like aromas and flavors all emerge from this massive, incredibly full-bodied effort and on the palate, it carries itself perfectly with a weightless, yet decadent texture, masses of polished tannin and blockbuster length. More classic and textbook than the 2007, it is every bit as good. (JD)
99
Decanter
Review Date: 03/2020
Dense with incredible tension and viscosity. From an outstanding, warm vintage in the Columbia Valley, this shows off intense Asian spices, wild blackberry cobbler, sage, cassis and scorched earth aromas. The long, lingering palate is dense but balanced, with light tannins and bright minerality supporting flavours of creme de cassis, Turkish coffee, blueberry compote and sage. (OB)
97
Int'l Wine Review
Review Date: 11/2020
The 2005 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot sourced from Champoux, Klipsun, and Tapteil vineyards and spent 22 Months in new French oak. It is showing wonderful mature characteristics at this stage, offering aromas of cherries, plums, cedar, spice, dried lavender, black olive and hints of licorice that all take shape and emerge beautifully from the glass. The palate is absolutely gorgeous, medium to full-bodied, polished and utterly seamless, as the tannins have softened beautifully. It displays remarkable concentration with a ripe core of juicy dark plums and ripe blackberries that continue to build through the finish. This shows wonderful aged character, but it still has retained plenty of freshness. This is drinking tremendous at this stage, and looks to be in the prime of its drinking window. (JD)
96
Wine Enthusiast
Review Date: 12/2008
Still young, chewy and textural, this stands as a classic Washington 2005 red--lusciously laden with mixed red and black berries, generous and deep; dense and jammy. The mixed berries, red licorice, cherries, layers of butterscotch, toffee and caramel are beautifully integrated and linger seductively into the finish. It has some initial alcoholic heat, but the flavors compensate and go on and on. This is a wine that must be cellared another five or more years before it even begins to pull itself together. If you must pop the cork before then, decant it for at least six hours and more if possible before drinking. *Best of 2008, Cellar Selection* (PG)
JR
Jancis Robinson
Review Date: 01/2010
Small berries and a tannic vintage. Small percentage of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 88% Champoux and 12% from Red Mountain vineyards. 22 months in new French oak. Both red and dark fruit on the nose. Such restraint even though you know this has great fruit depth. Smooth, deep-pile velvety tannins. Thick but not heavy. Savory and very dry but in no way drying. Firm seude-like tannins and these tannins are perfectly enhanced by the acidity. 18/20 points (JH)
