Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Wine

Since we are still in the same week that Catie's Wine Blog Wednesday on Washington State Cabernet took place, and what a turn out that was, I thought I would do the post on Mike's favorite wine Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon. Catie wanted us to try and find different wines from Washington besides the most popular Columbia Crest and Ste. Michelle, which we did, but the consensus was that they still could not beat the favorite Columbia Crest Cabernet.

Columbia Crest is a nice consistent wine. We have served it in our house for years and have never had a bad bottle. Columbia Crest is part of the Ste. Michelle Group. They are located in Patterson, Washington. In 1978 they planted their grapes in the Eastern Washington area of Horse Heaven Hills along the Columbia River. This appellation straddles the 46th (north) parallel which is the same latitude as Central France. So this Bordeaux varietal does well in this area. This full bodied wine possesses loads of black cherry fruit along with a hint of chocolate and spice on the finish. At a price of $10.99 to $13.99 depending on where you purchase, it is a great value for the dollar. A wine you can depend on to enhance foods from stews (it is wonderful ingredient in those long simmering winter time beef stews, sipping while cooking too!) to a great steak or pork chop sizzling off the grill during the summer. Speaking of cooking, a nice addition to their website, Columbia Crest has a section of recipes using their wines.

OK, I guess I will stop praising this wine and just tell you to try a bottle. Let me know your opinion!

Cheers!