2014 Avennia - Cabernet Sauvignon Red Willow Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The first vintage for this cuvée, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Willow Vineyard is still youthfully ruby-hued and has a killer nose of pure cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and tobacco, with a meatier, black olive (almost Oakville-like) character that develops with time in the glass. It’s another beautiful wine from Chris that’s medium to full-bodied, has a focused, elegant mouthfeel, and finely polished tannins.
Critic scores
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
In the top handful of wines in the vintage, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Willow Vineyard is a tiny-production release that comes from a single parcel in the Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Unfortunately, there are just 100 cases made, but it is a sensational wine. Cassis, graphite, crushed rocks and lead pencil characteristics all emerge from the glass, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, first-growth-like purity, fine tannin and a great, great finish. Bravo!
(a selection of four new barrels from a 1985 planting; bottled in June): Bright ruby-red. Explosive aromas of red- and blackcurrant complicated by a leafy Médoc-like quality. Densely packed, saline, classic Cabernet; thick but not hot, even in this very warm vintage. Flavors of cassis, cocoa powder and saline minerality are enlivened by judicious acidification. The 100% new oak does not at all overshadow the wine's fruit. Finishes tactile, savory and long, with substantial broad tannins. Chris Peterson describes this wine as "our chance to make a blockbuster Cabernet."