Multiple Columbia Valley AVA vineyards comprise this flagship wine from Browne Family Vineyards. The fruit had plenty of time to integrate – 22 months on 50% new oak. This is a dark, black fruit-forward wine – 97% Cabernet and 3% petite verdot. It is well structured with pleasant acidity and tannins that will continue to develop over time. Secondary flavors are abundant, including nutmeg, cedar, vanilla, and chocolate. Drink now with food or hold for four to seven years, and even seven to 10 years.
This wine is intense, full-bodied, and has a medium-long finish. At 14.1% alcohol, it’s at my threshold for over-alc wines, but somehow the alcohol is only apparent on the nose, and not on the palate. Thus, our choice for tonight’s dinner is mock lasagna with Turkey and chicken meatballs, and plenty of extra marinara. Bon appetito!
Read winemaker John Freeman’s Wine Characters interview to learn more.