Christopher Michael Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
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James
Suckling
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
In 2019, a late bud break and bloom followed by a cooler-than-average growing season allowed for ample flavor development and complexity with beautiful acidity and moderate alcohol levels.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of crushed red and black fruit, sage and violets. Medium-bodied with fine, slightly chewy tannins. A little minty. A nice bed of melted chocolate, plum and blackcurrant.
Other Vintages
2012-
Wine
Spectator
In 2009, Ryan and Eric Harms started Christopher Michael Wines. The idea was simple; to use their home base in Oregon’s Willamette Valley to craft outstanding wines. They live and love what Oregon is: a place for doers, makers, explorers, artisans, and entrepreneurs who craft authentic, real, honest, quality goods they are proud of. These values live within them as they explore the awe-inspiring regions across the Pacific Northwest. They believe geographic boundaries shouldn’t define the wines. The wines are created to be fresh, approachable, and ready for any occasion anywhere.
What makes the Pacific Northwest so unique? The fact that dense forests, winding waterways, and snow-packed peaks are all in our backyard? Or is it that no matter how far you go and how many sights you see, there's always more to explore? Each wine is crafted with this reverence of place—but their goal is to never stop exploring new regions and new wines.
They're creating wine for those who cherish the wonder in wandering, who understand that the best places to explore are sometimes right around the corner, and for those of us who opt for the long way home. Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, and #MadebyOregon.
As Washington’s leading grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon covers more vineyard acreage than any other variety in the state and continues to attract well-deserved notoriety and praise from critics and consumers alike. This popular variety finds a natural home in Washington’s eastern side, where an arid, continental climate and diverse soils of sandy loess and basalt give Cabernet its distinctly intense, Washington character. Concentrated in black currant, black cherry, forest floor and cocoa qualities, Washington’s best Cabernet Sauvignons have a bold richness, seamless texture and great longevity.
Cabernet leads the way in Washington’s Walla Walla, home to some of the state’s oldest wineries. Along the Columbia River Gorge, Horse Heaven Hills remains the source of some of Washington’s highest desired Cabernet Sauvignons. Yakima Valley, on the northern border of Horse Heaven Hills, includes Washington’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines while the Wahluke Slope has one of the hottest and driest climates where strong summer winds blow, ensuring both smaller leaf size and grape clusters. The result is top quality wines with great concentration, phenolic ripeness and body.