Deep ruby color; plum, dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, cedar, chocolate, oak spice on the nose and palate.
Dry; relatively soft tannins, likely from extended cold soak of two days. Soft, complementary acidity (3.78 pH). Bordeaux blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 28% cabernet franc, 12% merlot. Aged in 40% new French oak, 60% in neutral oak; oak influence is there, but only in background, not a dominant theme. Rich, smooth, balanced, delicious, full body. Checks all the Bordeaux blend boxes for an effort at this price point. 14.8% ABV
The Bordeaux-inspired blend is a homage to Dr. Walter Clore, the viticultural researcher regarded as the “Father of Washington State Wine.” A title conferred by the Washington state legislature, no less. The wine is intricately complex or layered, rather a solid, nicely approachable red wine. Columbia Crest is a solid pioneer in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, opening its doors in 1982.
Columbia Crest, founded in 1982, was the first winery established in Washington State’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA. It is located alongside the Columbia River in eastern Washington—the part of the state that is near desert rather than the temperate rain forest on the western side of the Cascade Mountains. The winery is the largest winery in Washington State and one of the largest in the Northwest. It is a brand of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Columbia Crest has evolved from a small winery in a then obscure wine region to one of the more prominent wineries in the United States.
Katie Nelson was the head winemaker for this effort. She since has been replaced by Will Wiles and, in 2014, by Guy Barnes. While there has been churn of winemakers at Columbia Crest since Juan Muñoz Oca left in 2018, the product quality has remained. Ste. Michelle has undergone significant changes in ownership and direction in recent years—a seismic event in the Northwest wine world. It remains a quality maker of widely available wine. The churn has not meant winemakers were fired or left. Katie Nelson, for instance, now is vice president of winemaking at Chateau Ste. Michelle and is considered one of the leading winemakers in the Pacific Northwest.
Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve Red Wine, Columbia Valley 2019 is aromatic and softly ingratiating, especially for a cab. Rich, smooth, plenty of dark red fruits. Appropriately named after a major figure in the Washington State wine industry. One of Columbia Crest’s top-tier offering. Certainly worth a swirl. Pair with grilled meats—with the dialed-back tannins, filet mignon will work; ribeye is always good; beef stew; lamb roast; pork barbecue, baby back ribs, pulled pork; meatloaf and other comfort foods; barbecued chicken; venison and other wild game, including wild turkey and quail. Cheese—aged cheddar, gruyere, aged gouda, manchego, milder blue cheese. Avoid soft, creamy cheese, tangy goat cheese, hard-salty cheese. $46
