Wautoma Springs Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted leg of lamb, aged cheddar
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Crafted as part of Columbia Crest's prestigious Reserve program, this single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the exceptional terroir of the Wautoma Springs Vineyard. Planted in 1999 by acclaimed grower Tom Merkle in a warm, wind-swept corner of the Columbia Valley, the vineyard is defined by its quick-draining gravelly soils and harsh, arid climate. These challenging conditions force the vines to dig deep, producing tiny, highly concentrated berries with thick skins. Columbia Crest coaxes the maximum expression from this fruit through meticulous small-lot fermentation and extended aging in select French oak barrels. The resulting wine is a monumental Washington Cabernet, celebrated for its deep complexity, structural integrity, and seamless integration of dark fruit and savory earth tones.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1983 in Paterson, Washington, along the banks of the Columbia River, Columbia Crest is one of the Pacific Northwest's most significant and celebrated wineries. Owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the winery operates a state-of-the-art facility in the Columbia Valley, combining modern gravity-flow techniques with traditional oak barrel aging. Columbia Crest is renowned for delivering exceptional quality and value, showcasing the region's unique terroir through its Grand Estates, H3, and Two Vines series. Their signature expressions include robust Cabernet Sauvignon, velvety Merlot, and the prestigious Walter Clore Private Reserve, which honors the pioneer of Washington viticulture. This dedication to craft has cemented their reputation as a benchmark producer of Washington State wine on the global stage.