2010 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Horse Heaven Hills

As Washington Wine Month progresses, I've had some fun finding some new Washington wines to try, and tonight it's the 2010 Canoe Ridge Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from the Horse Heaven Hills.  I've tried one or two wines from Canoe Ridge in the past, but they were all blends, so here's to trying a single varietal!

The wine is a dark, brooding ruby color in the glass, with a bit of opacity.  The nose is very promising, with aromas of leather, black pepper and tar over a foundation of black fruit aromas of plum, blackberry and cherry.  The taste is wonderfully fruity up front with great black cherry, raspberry and plum overlaying some mint, Asian spice and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, and just starting to loosen up a bit, making for a long, lush finish that is simply bone dry.  A classic Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it displays the presence and structure of a much more expensive wine, but I found this one at my local wine merchant for just $20!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic northwest dinner of alder planked wild Alaskan sockeye along with some steamed asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes.  The fruit in this wine along with the dry finish are a perfect foil to the rich flavors of the salmon, so delicious!