Margaret's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage release, though top vintages can cellar gracefully for up to 20 years.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, rosemary-infused venison stew
✨ Technical Specifications
Sourced from the estate Margaret's Vineyard, named in honor of founder John Bigelow's mother, this Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of JM Cellars' vineyard-designate program. Situated in the prestigious SeVein development in the southern reaches of the Walla Walla Valley, the vineyard sits on a high-elevation hillside where vines must dig deep through wind-blown loess soils into the underlying fractured basalt. This challenging terroir forces the vines to struggle, resulting in small, concentrated berries that yield a wine of remarkable depth, structure, and complexity. The wine is traditionally aged in French oak barrels, imparting subtle spice and structured tannins that beautifully frame the expressive dark fruit character typical of this unique microclimate.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1998 by John and Peggy Bigelow, JM Cellars is a benchmark family-owned artisanal winery centered at Bramble Bump, a wooded sanctuary in Woodinville, Washington. Initially mentored by prominent Washington vintners Mike Januik and Charlie Hoppes, the Bigelows evolved from basement garagistes into leading producers of small-lot, site-expressive Pacific Northwest wines. While production operations are based in Woodinville and Maltby, estate fruit originates from Margaret's Vineyard—a certified sustainable and Salmon-Safe site perched within Walla Walla's acclaimed SeVein development. Complementing their estate plantings, JM Cellars selectively sources from venerated Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, and Red Mountain vineyards, including Boushey, Stillwater Creek, and Quintessence. Winemaking under John and his son Tommy emphasizes precision and texture, utilizing small-batch fermentations in stainless steel, concrete eggs, and French oak barrels. Benchmark cuvées include their signature Tre Fanciulli red blend, Margaret's Vineyard Bordeaux varietals, and vineyard-designated Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, consistently distinguished by vibrant fruit purity and structured finesse.
🍇 Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon