Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Columbia Valley, Washington

2019 vintage: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.5% Petit Verdot. From several vineyard sources in the Columbia Valley. Aged 21 months in 100% French oak, 40% new, 60% experienced. 2019 vintage – Sophisticated layers of wild blackberry, forest and baking spice mingle on the nose with violets, leather and vanilla. A well structured palate is artfully balanced by a fullness in fruit, fine-grain tannins and well suited acidity. Morello cherries appear with black pepper, lavender, cocoa powder on the palate. Towards the close, darker notes of walnut and dark plum emerge and continue throughout a lengthy finish. Abeja founders Ken and Ginger Harrison came to Walla Walla Valley in the late 1990s in search of land suitable for planting world class Cabernet Sauvignon. Today Abeja is the realization of the Harrisons’ vision. Winemakers Daniel Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler craft Abeja’s acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot as well as the winery’s sought-after, limited-release estate and reserve wines, offered exclusively to Abeja List members. Spanish for bee, the name Abeja (pronounced ‘ah-BAY-ha’) was chosen to honor a deep-rooted respect for the environment.