Cabernet Country

Washington's top red variety shines in recent vintages 

A photograph of the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in Yakima Valley's Red Mountain AVA
The Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in Yakima Valley's Red Mountain AVA (Richard Duval)

In his special report on Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, Wine Spectator senior editor Tim Fish spotlights the wines he's tasted since fall 2021. All but a few of these Cabernets are from the 2018 and 2019 vintages, the former of which earned an overall rating of 93 points on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale. Read on for scores, tasting notes and recommendations for top wines and values, as well as a a preliminary vintage rating for 2019 and a preview of the 2020 vintage. 

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