LCBO Sale Pick of the Week: April 9

Columbia Crest 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills, Washington)

Sale $16.95, Regular $19.95
Discount (until April 26): $3.00
LCBO # 210047 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: A restrained and more elegant take on a Californian Cab.
Pairs with: Rich meat dishes, moussaka, eggplant parmigiana, Bolognese.
Good for: Stocking up—a great price on a very nice wine.
Alcohol: 14%
Drink: Now.

Why we’re drinking this
This wine is from Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills—which explains the rather scientific-like H3 name—located in the eastern part of the state. This is a good introduction to the Pacific Northwest style. We don’t see a lot of those wines here, which is a shame. Columbia Crest is a two-decades old winery with consistent quality and value. Wine Spectator magazine gave this wine 92 points, which is a bit of an exaggeration, though this is a very good wine.

Tasting note
Ripe black berries and plum on the nose, with some vanilla and toasty oak. It’s nicely restrained, though, showing judicious wood treatment (it was barrel aged for 18 months in 40% new and 60% old French oak). It’s soft on the palate, with ripe tannins, nice texture and good acidity. It’s opulent yet not cloying, with more black and red berries, a note of chocolate, and a medium finish. A very pleasant wine, very quaffable and a solid investment even at the regular price. We could use more good wines like this, priced fairly, at the LCBO.

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This week's selection by kwäf Taste Bud Dick Snyder