Mullan Road 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cakebread, Columbia Valley

Mullan Road Cellars is a project led by Dennis Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars to produce first class wines from the unique microclimates of Washington State. Drawn by the high quality of wines coming out of the Columbia Valley. The grapes for Mullan Road Cellars Red Blend come from several outstanding, low-yielding vineyards in the Columbia Valley, including the famed Seven Hills Vineyard, as well as Stillwater Creek Vineyard and the Corfu Crossing Vineyard outside Royal City, an area soon to be designated the Royal Slope appellation.

The winemaker is Aryn Morrell, a Washington native who spent years making wine in Napa Valley with prestigious wineries such as Silver Oak Cellars, Joseph Phelps, Quintessa and Chappellet before returning to Washington in 2007.

This is their first Cabernet and it's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The wine aged 20 months in 33% new French oak, 6% new American oak.

Wine Enthusiast scored this 91 points saying "Roasted coffee bean, tar, melted butter and dark chocolate aromas are up front. An assortment of fruit and barrel flavors follow. Lightly chewy tannins back it up."