While I didn’t taste all the wines at Celebrate Walla Cabernet Festival this year I got through 80%. Here are my top five favorites and a link to the rest of the wines.
The rest of the notes via Cellar Tracker: CellarTracker! 2024 Celebrate Cabernet Walla Walla Festival Grand Tasting or See Below.
- 2020 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/13/2024)
My sister in law recommended trying this wine at the Grand Tasting and then visited them in Woodinville the following Monday. Winery of the try by a landslide. Amazing stuff featuring tobacco, earth, cherry, plum, vanilla, subtle oak and minerals. Super complex wine and long finish. A true value in terms of quality. (94 points) - 2019 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Suscol Springs – USA, California, Napa Valley (7/13/2024)
Walla Walla Celebrate Cabernet Fest and this delivered big time. Held its own amongst the best of Washington. Mild oak, spice, blue currants, mild smoke, vanilla and floral notes. Complex and medium plus finish. Drink through 2035. (93 points) - 2021 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Force Majeure Estate Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (7/13/2024)
Powerful wine that has plenty of aging potential. Oak, dark berries, rose petals, spice box and tobacco leaves. Medium plus finish. Drink 2030 and beyond. (94 points) - 2018 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/13/2024)
Big wine and needs time but shows great potential. Dark berries, spices, rose petals, oak, cherry, dust and earth. Medium to long finish. Drink 2028 to 2040. Excellent. (94 points) - 2019 Cayuse Cabernet Sauvignon The Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (7/13/2024)
Total rocks and loved it. Top 5 wine of this tasting. Stone, funk, blueberries, rose petals, spice and dust. Medium to long finish. Beautiful wine. 94+ points (94 points)
Every year I tell my brother that other than us no one will post a note on the wines from these events and of course I was correct again this year. Not sure why people don’t want to capture the amazing wines from the event. The best value in all of wine tastings out there. $500 for the vintage pour, a seminar, a fine wine dinner and this event. Napa would be two winery visits for $500. Cheers to the organizers and participants.
3 hours of tasting
Amazing event and didn’t get through every wine but so many great values out of Walla Walla.
- 2020 Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Heather Hill Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Drinking much better than the 2020 CV. Red currants, minerals, earth, a touch of smoke and spices. Medium plus finish. Should age for another decade plus. (92 pts.) - 2020 Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Good overall with red currants, spice and earth. Medium finish. (89 pts.) - 2020 Armstrong Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sally Mac – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Nice wine overall with cherry, plum, cassis and earth. Not a long finish but solid overall. (91 pts.) - 2020 Armstrong Family Winery Bogie’s Blend – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
A nice easy drinking blend. No real formal notes but solid with some nice fruit and spices. (90 pts.) - 2019 Balboa Winery Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Lots of promsise here with cherry, plum, spices, mild oak and earth. Medium plus finish. (92 pts.) - 2019 Balboa Winery Reserve – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
This was a step up from the Walla Walla wine with dark berries, cassis, spice, floral notes and nice minerality streak on teh finish. (93 pts.) - 2019 Cayuse Cabernet Sauvignon The Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Total rocks and loved it. Top 5 wine of this tasting. Stone, funk, blueberries, rose petals, spice and dust. Medium to long finish. Beautiful wine. 94+ points (94 pts.) - 2019 Bontzu Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Very nice showing with stone, cherry, floral, dark chocolate and earth. Medium finish. (93 pts.) - 2021 Brook & Bull Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Spices, firm tannins, blueberries, earth and dried floral notes. Medium plus finish. (92 pts.) - 2022 Brook & Bull The Deviant – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
A nice blend overall. No formal notes but smooth wine with nice fruit and some spices. (90 pts.) - 2021 Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Summit Series Dwelley Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
The best of their lineup with blueberries, cherry, spice and earth. (91 pts.) - 2021 Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Summit Series Block Zero – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
Not solid for the lineup today but drinkable. Fruit, earth and some mild oak. (88 pts.) - 2021 Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon The Explorer – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
Mild fruit, earth and oak. Shorter finish. (86 pts.) - 2021 Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Passage – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Wonderful offering with cherry, oak, vanilla, spices, cigar and earth. Medium plus finish. Firm tannins but see the long term pontential. Drink 2027 to 2033. (93 pts.) - 2021 Caprio Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Good wine overall with blue currants, spice, coffee grounds and earth. Medium finish. (91 pts.) - 2019 College Cellars of Walla Walla Cabernet Franc Clarke Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
A fruit forward wine with cherry, plum and raspberries. A touch of spice and shorter finish. A little light. (84 pts.) - 2020 College Cellars of Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon Eritage Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
This was not well made. Smoke taint and muted fruits. Easy pass. (78 pts.) - 2018 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Big wine and needs time but shows great potential. Dark berries, spices, rose petals, oak, cherry, dust and earth. Medium to long finish. Drink 2028 to 2040. Excellent. (94 pts.) - 2020 Dusted Valley Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
A bit hot with spices, alcohol and some fruit. Medium finish. Decant lengthy amount of time. (84 pts.) - 2022 Dusted Valley Vintners Wallywood Stonetree Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope
A nice wine overall with red currants, clay, spice, pepper and minerals. (90 pts.) - 2021 Echolands Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Pepper Bridge Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Nice wine overall with spices, mild oak, blue fruits, coffee beans and earth. Medium plus finish. (92 pts.) - 2021 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
One of two of my favorites from the Grand Tasting today. Stone, red currants, blue fruits, earth, mild oak and spice. Medium to long finish and really balanced. (93 pts.) - 2021 Reininger BDX – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Top 3 wines at the tasting today. Wonderful acidity and balanced wine with red currants, spice, rose petals, stone and mineral streak on the finish. Wonderful wine. (94 pts.) - 2018 Eternal Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Discovery Discovery Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
Solid offering with stone, dust, blue currants, spices and earth. Medium plus finish. (91 pts.) - 2014 Drink Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon Groovin’ in Wahluke Slope – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope
Not sure why this was at the tasting but basic wine with some fruit and spice. Short finish. (82 pts.) - 2020 Figgins Estate Red Wine – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
2020 is a vintage all over the place and normally Figgins would be better but not this vintage. Should be a drink now to 2028. Red currants, spices, mild oak and floral notes. Medium finish. (92 pts.) - 2021 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
2nd time tasting this past weekend. This could have been opened two days prior and would be showing much better but have to rate it where it is at. Very tannic wine with some fruit showing through such as cherry and blueberries. Also features spice, earth and minerals. Drink 2030 and beyond. (91 pts.) - 2018 Five Star Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Young but shows promise with blueberries, stone, pepper, oak and floral notes. Medium finish. (91 pts.) - 2017 Five Star Cellars Stellar – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Nice blend with cherry, blackberries, spice, mild oak and floral notes. Medium plus finish. Drink now to 2030. (92 pts.) - 2019 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Super intense wines which was the lineup of the 4. Blackberries, dark cherry, oak, vanilla, spice and tobacco. Medium to long finish. Drink 2027 and behind. (92 pts.) - 2019 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Force Majeure Estate Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Liked it a little less than the Red Mountain of the same vintage. Solid wine with firm tannins. Cherry, tobacco, oak, spice, blue currants and earth. Medium plus. Cellar as many have indicated. Drink 2029 and beyond. (92 pts.) - 2021 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Force Majeure Estate Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Powerful wine that has plenty of aging potential. Oak, dark berries, rose petals, spice box and tobacco leaves. Medium plus finish. Drink 2030 and beyond. (94 pts.) - 2021 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Loved this wine along with the Walla Walla from same vintage. Big and ripe with cherry, plum and blueberries. Oak, vanilla, spices and cigar. Medium to long finish. Age this one. (93 pts.) - 2019 Foundry Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Nothing special compared to many others with red currants, spices, and minerality on the finish. Drink now to 2030. (90 pts.) - 2019 Gifford Hirlinger Stateline Red Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Solid overall with cherry, minerals, spice and earth. Medium plus finish. Approachable now. (90 pts.) - 2019 Gifford Hirlinger Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Earth, plum, blueberries, cherry and mild spices. A tough of menthol on the medium plus finish. Solid wine and good value. (91 pts.) - 2020 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Earth, tobacco, minerals, cherry and spice. Medium finish and smooth wine overall. (91 pts.) - 2020 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Better than the base bottling with plum, earth, tobacco, minerals, spice and sour cherry. A touch of wood on the finish. (92 pts.) - 2022 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
Cakebread was part of Celebrate Walla Walla this past week and let me tell you they are legit. Used to think of them as a tourist visit but wines impressed overall. This wine was very clean and featured minerals, apple, lemon, apricot and mild spice. Nice acidity. Way better than almost every Washington State Chardonnay that I have ever tasted. (92 pts.) - 2019 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Suscol Springs – USA, California, Napa Valley
Walla Walla Celebrate Cabernet Fest and this delivered big time. Held its own amongst the best of Washington. Mild oak, spice, blue currants, mild smoke, vanilla and floral notes. Complex and medium plus finish. Drink through 2035. (93 pts.) - 2015 Château Cos d’Estournel – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Nice showing overall but nothing exceptional with this vintage. Dried cherries, spice, earth, cigar and blue currants. Medium plus finish and good acidity. Not even close to top 30 at the Celebrate Walla Walla Festival. (92 pts.) - 2016 Les Pagodes de Cos – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Of course not a Cos level but solid wine overall. Darl fruits, spice, oak, tobacco, funk and earth. Medium plus finish. Drink now to 2030. (90 pts.) - 2020 G d’Estournel – France, Bordeaux, Médoc
Basic Bordeaux wine with spice, red currants and earth. Short to medium finish. (87 pts.) - 2020 Kontos Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Another stellar find from the Walla Walla Cab Fest. A little funk along with sour cherry, cedar, dust, plum and minerals. Complex wine that is drinking really well now but will be rewarded with time. (93 pts.) - 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
This wine is a good example that will be amazing in a decade. Tight and tannic but tons of potential. Dark fruits, coffee beans, earth, exotic spices and dark chocolate. Drink 2029 and after. (91 pts.) - 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Leaf Block 3 Bacchus Vineyard White Bluffs – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, White Bluffs
Not Walla Walla Cab or Ferguson but good overall. Plum, blueberries, spice and some oak. Medium finish. (90 pts.) - 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 Estate Ferguson Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Just bought this for a song via auction but will hold 10 plus years. Tasted two times in the last week and amazing. Blueberries, cassis, vanilla, oak, chocolate and spices. Long finish and concentrated. Drink 2030 and beyond. (93 pts.) - 2018 Lagana Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon J&S Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Solid overall with dust, minerals, red currants and floral notes. (90 pts.) - 2018 Pambrun Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Liked this more than the 17 and it is a big style wine. Dark fruits, spice, oak, coffee beans, dark chocolate and vanilla. Medium plus finish. Needs some time. (91 pts.) - 2017 Pambrun Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
A bit too much oak, dark fruits, earth and big spices. Medium finish and a bit of heat. Like their Syrah’s a lot better. (89 pts.) - 2020 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
My sister in law recommended trying this wine at the Grand Tasting and then visited them in Woodinville the following Monday. Winery of the try by a landslide. Amazing stuff featuring tobacco, earth, cherry, plum, vanilla, subtle oak and minerals. Super complex wine and long finish. A true value in terms of quality. (94 pts.) - 2021 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Plum, coffee beans, menthol, blueberries, earth and mild oak. Really complex and long finish. Nice acidity. (93 pts.) - 2019 Prospice Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Hills Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Solid effort featuring dust, earth, cherry, plum and minerals. Medium plus finish and good acidity. (92 pts.) - 2020 Prospice Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Hills Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Not as good as the 19 but solid. Sour cherry, a hint of smoke, floral, earth and tobacco. (90 pts.) - 2020 Pursued by Bear Cabernet Sauvignon Pursued by Bear – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Cherry, pencil lead, minerals, spice, mild oak and chalk. Medium plus finish. Solid wine. (91 pts.) - 2020 Saviah Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Jared pouring again. Great guy and family owned winery. This showed nice fruit featuring plum, cherry and raspberries along with mild oak, spice, dust and earth. Medium plus finish and balanced offering. (93 pts.) - 2020 Saviah Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Funk Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Outstanding with stone, subtle funk, minerals, dark fruits, sour cherry, wood and floral notes. Medium plus finish. Drink now to 2032. - 2021 Seven Hills Winery Cabernet Sauvignon SHW Founding Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
A very nice showing with cherry, plum, spice, dust and earth. Medium plus finish. Drink through 2032. (92 pts.) - 2022 Seven Hills Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Not as good as the single vineyard offerings but good overall. Earth, cherry, plum and a hint of spice. Picks up a bit of oak on the medium finish. (89 pts.) - 2021 The Walls Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon French Creek Estate Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Over a $100 retail. While good not sure who is paying that kind of money for Yakima Cabs. Stone, cherry, minerals, blueberries and earth. Picks up some new wood on the finish. Many better for the money. (92 pts.) - 2021 The Walls Vineyards Bellamy – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Solid offering with bell pepper, dark fruits, spice, earth and smooth overall finish. (92 pts.) - 2023 The Walls Vineyards Cruel Summer – USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Gorge
One of the better Rose wines but did not make it to 90. Watermelon, spice, rose petals and light overall. Just not enough bight for me. (89 pts.) - 2021 Va Piano Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
If there was a worst table at the Grand Tasting this would be it and based on prices of their other two wines over $100 completely justified statement. This is over oaked with some fruit and earth. Short to medium finish. (87 pts.) - 2021 Va Piano Vineyards Black Label Reserve DuBrul Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Too much oak and high alcohol on this one. Big style. Dark fruits, oak, vanilla, spices and earth. Medium plus. Cellar for a decade to soften this monster of a wine. (91 pts.) - 2021 Va Piano Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope
For $80 I expect more. Can get killer older Cabs for less on Winebid. Big wine with oak, dark fruits, vanilla, dark chocolate and spice. (88 pts.) - 2021 Valdemar Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Another overpriced Walla Walla Cab. Big style with oak, cherry, spices, vanilla and blackberries. Needs time in the cellar. (90 pts.) - 2021 Valdemar Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Entre Nosotros – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Good overall and less oak than the Walla Walla Cab. Cherry, plum, spice, menthol and minerals. Drink now style. (90 pts.) - 2017 Watermill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Anna Marie Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
A little tired with sour cherry, dried herbs, earth, spice and wood. Medium finish. Drink now. (89 pts.) - 2021 Watermill Winery Estate Red Blend – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Very nice wine with red currants, blueberries, spice, mild oak, menthol and baking chocolate. Medium finish and complex. Will improve with time. 92-94. (92 pts.) - 2020 Watermill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Estate – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Good overall with minerals, dried flowers, red currants and earth. Medium finish. (91 pts.) - 2021 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Another solid showing from Woodward with oak, vanilla, spices, blue currants, dust and earth. Very nice style and smooth overall finish. (92 pts.)