In the Fall 2023 print edition we featured 28 Bordeaux-style red wines shown below from Washington State producers.
Traditionally, a red Bordeaux blend is composed chiefly of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with smaller portions of Malbec and Petit Verdot, and very occasionally, Carménère. In Washington, vintners each put their own spin on New World Bordeaux-style blends and even single varietals.
Alta Cellars 2020 Navigator Red Wine Columbia Valley
95 pts.
Rich and concentrated, with underlying power that backs svelte flavors of jammy blackberry, pure black cherry and cedar undertones. Warm spice notes linger on the solidly-structured finish, packing lots of saturated fruit and earthen spice. $45
50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec
Andrew Januik 2020 Lady Hawk Cabernet Sauvignon
95 pts.
No other winery receives grapes from Lady Hawk Vineyard, operated by growers Judy and Paul Champoux. The piercing structure is marked by firm tannins and striking minerality that weave seamlessly through mouthfilling flavors of cassis, black raspberry, baking cocoa and dark loamy earth on the lasting finish. $55
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Boudreaux Cellars 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
95 pts.
Tightly focused with a racy streak, this blend of nine distinctive vineyards shows expressive aromas of blackberry and red currant, violet, tobacco and graphite. Streaming with cassis, plum and anise inlaid with fine tannins, accents of bay leaf, black pepper, loam and minerality mark the finish. $80
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot
Browne Family Vineyards 2020 Bitner Estate Tribute Red Blend
93 pts.
Abundant dark red cherry, cassis and dusty spice on the nose lead into the firm, silky-coated palate, harmonizing with cacao bean, tea leaf and a tincture of fine minerality that flow effortlessly through a sheen of fresh acidity that graces the concentrated finish. $38
Bordeaux Varietals
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
Caprio Cellars 2020 Sanitella Reserve Red
95 pts.
There’s good depth to the undiluted flavors of this Walla Walla Valley estate red wine, ranging from black cherry paste, red currant and licorice intermingled with violet, pencil shavings, cocoa powder and savory dried herbs. Classy, with a distinctive appeal and exceptional focus on the well-structured finish. $88
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Malbec, 17% Merlot
Chandler Reach 2019 Yakima Valley Merlot
94 pts.
This estate-grown red is highlighted by a matrix of lively acidity that elevates the flavors of dark cherry and blue plum matched with a mix of earthiness and savory cedar expressions. The energy builds on the deepening finish, ending with moderate tannins that carry inflections of spice, graham and cocoa powder. This single varietal is a show-stopper. $35
100% Merlot
Coyote Canyon H/H Estates 2019 Bozak Red
95 pts.
This estate red is streamlined with a rich toastiness backing the ripe, juicy and robust-flavored red and blue fruit. The theme continues on the midpalate with mocha, worn cedar and savory cracked pepper that align with red cherry and wild blueberry expressions driving the fresh finish. $49
34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 33% Malbec
C.R. Sandidge 2020 Artist Series Caris Red Wine
95 pts.
Harvested from a single vineyard, StoneTree on the Wahluke Slope, this red is swirling with pencil lead, beautifully integrated barrel oak, white truffle and penetrating dark cherry that imprint a sense of elegance onto the silky mouthfeel. The structure is notably sculpted, adding earthy strawberry and sage details that lift up on the finish. $50
68% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot
DeLille Cellars 2020 Chaleur Estate
95 pts.
A blend of two Yakima Valley AVA vineyards, Ciel du Cheval and Dubrul. Supple, rich and balanced, offering aromas of raspberry, plum, violet and dusty baking spice. The elegant structure shows refined mineral-driven tannins framed by ripe cherry and red berries that meld with nuanced touches of warm oak and peppercorn mélange. $90
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Five Star Cellars 2017 Walla Walla Valley Stellar
95 pts.
Ultra-smooth on the entry, packed with a solidly built core of ripe blackberry and blueberry accented by dark chocolate and coconut shavings. Notable mineral spice drives a racy graphite undertow that shows fine tension. Persistent, with excellent length. $64
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot
Gordon Estate 2018 Reserve Tradition
92 pts.
Exemplary balance defines this sumptuous red blend, loaded with graphite, tobacco, steeped blackberry and jammy red and black currants tinged with earthen loam and underbrush. Burnished tannins and firm acidity offer allure on the concentrated, drawn-out finish. $35
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, 1.5% Syrah, 0.5% Petit Verdot
Hard Row to Hoe 2020 Estate Cabernet Franc
95 pts.
Energetic, displaying gorgeous structure, with a vitality to the blackberry and red plum flavors accented with blue fruit, violet and licorice. The penetrating mouthfeel lasts indefinitely, unfurling with fine-grained tannins and minerally elements of glacial till and gravel elegantly adjoined with briar and herb notes. $50
100% Cabernet Franc
Hightower Cellars 2019 Red Mountain Reserve
95 pts.
Cascading with classic Red Mountain minerality and structure, this full-flavored red delivers ripe blackberry, dried violet, and dark cocoa backed by balanced hints of blue fruit, vanilla and wood spice framed by firm, gripping tannins that hold true through the satisfying finish. $60
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 17% Petit Verdot
Jacob Williams 2018 Proprietor’s Reserve
94 pts.
Brooding with savory notes of tobacco, sage and bay leaf, this “reverse Bordeaux blend” is dominated by Petit Verdot. Rich boysenberry and dark cherry flavors are highlighted by fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins that ripple through the broad, textural finish with superb definition. $60
50% Petit Verdot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot
Lantz Cellars 2020 Red Mountain Crown & Corset
Red Wine
94 pts.
Aromatic and distinctive, with a burst of steeped cherry and high-toned raspberry supported by an undertow of dark cocoa. Vibrant on the taut finish, with fine tannins and exuberant acidity that linger on the mineral-infused aftertaste. $48
62% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc
Long Cellars 2020 JAMANKA Premium Red Wine Blend
94 pts.
Rich, with an opulent touch without being overly weighty, this is loaded with a near-seamless profile of olive, black cherry, blackberry, shaved chocolate and graphite. Finishes with an expansive feel, with deepening sage and wood spice accents. Sourced from Boushey and Quintessence vineyards. $54
40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Love That Red 2017 Bold Ruler Red Blend
96 pts.
This fuller-bodied red wine radiates both underlying power and elegance, bursting with crushed ripe blackberry, cassis, fig and black raspberry preserves framed by pencil lead, warm cedar spice and cocoa. Finishes with pronounced firmness and polished tannins that resound with the echoing flavors on the prolonged aftertaste. $60
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot
Maryhill 2020 Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Franc
95 pts.
Sourced from Elephant Mountain and Gunkel Estate vineyards, the firm structure is supported by balanced acidity and good textural feel, enriched with leather, raspberry, blackberry and a dusting of white peppercorn. The elements fall into seamless lockstep on the tightly-focused finish, with pleasing duration that allows its complex nature to shine. $44
100% Cabernet Franc
Mellisoni Vineyards 2020 Boateak Red
95 pts.
A plushly textured Right Bank-style, offering enticing aromas of black cherry, graphite and baking spices. Dried blueberry, black currant and baker’s chocolate saturate the palate, layered with worn cedar and hints of eucalyptus that align with an elegant beam of Rainier cherry and refined tannins on the suave finish. $55
87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon
Mercer Estates 2018 Reserve Cavalie Red Blend
95 pts.
Pure and dense in structure, this red blend coats the palate with concentrated blackberry and rich dark stone fruit flavors ranging from deep cherry to black plum. The fruit is fused seamlessly with cocoa, toasty spice and well-knit tannins that support the supple, balanced finish. $45
59% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot
Obelisco Estate 2019 Red Mountain Electrum
95 pts.
Regal, with towering structure encircled by firm refined tannins, this red offers superb depth and character. Macerated blackberry flavors tinged with blue fruit and vanilla accents are proportionately backed by a sheen of crushed pebbles, graphite, tea leaf and dried herbs. Spice notes linger on the bold finish. $85
84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 3% Malbec
Otis Kenyon 2018 Walla Walla Valley Backdraft
95 pts.
Culled from a trio of vineyards, Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and Les Collines, this silky red streams multi-layered expressions of forest floor, tobacco leaf, red plum and blueberry, radiating with violet, scented spices and dark chocolate details that weave through a maze of firm tannins. The vibrancy reaches long on the supple finish. $80
44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 12% Malbec
Pondera Winery 2019 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Stiletto
93 pts.
Shane Howard crafts a prolific number of Bordeaux varietal wines. This rendition is sleek and finely balanced, with a core of black cherry and red plum upheld by firm tannins and good acidity, driven on the long finish by savory notes of tobacco, dark chocolate and coconut shavings. $42
61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 14% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot
Prospice 2020 BDX Columbia Valley
95 pts.
Leading with tantalizing red berries and dusty cinnamon spice aromas, the uber-smooth entry reveals a synergistic trio of cherry, plum and cassis expressively layered with cacao bean, fresh herbs, crushed rock and spice details. An elegant presentation of three Bordeaux varietals. $65
35% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc
Seven Hills Winery 2020 Ciel Du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine
95 pts.
Sharply focused, with firm, chiseled tannins and nicely-cut acidity showing expressions of boysenberry, black cherry and violet that mingle with dusty spice, sage and tobacco. As it opens, raspberry preserves, mineral and white pepper notes rise on the long finish. $65
41% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
The Walls 2020 Bellamy Cabernet Sauvignon
95 pts.
Earthen aromas of red and black fruit, juniper berry and salinity lead to a polished palate filled with concentrated black currant and dark plum trailing with ripe boysenberry and anise. Fresh acidity undercuts lasting layers of graphite, smoke and stone-like minerality on the highly expressive finish. From River Rock Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. $75
76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Tinte Cellars 2019 Ramblers Red Wine
94 pts.
Sleek, with a floral edge dominated by compact blueberry, currants and raspberry that meld with rich red cherry, vanilla and barrel spice on the textural finish encircled by chalky tannins. Sourced from Gamache, Quinn, Quintessence, Red Willow and Weinbau vineyards. $48
57% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec
Va Piano 2020 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
94 pts.
This estate blend is sophisticated and artistic, offering a plush mouthfeel that reveals a firm backstop of fine-grained tannins. Seamless expressions of blackberry and black plum are accented with raspberry notes and a light dusting of cocoa powder, gravel, sage and bay leaf. Finishes with superb length. $60
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc