2011 Sheridan Vineyard Block 1 Cabernet Sauvignon

Sheridan Vineyard is just outside of the town of Zillah, above Yakima Valley. It was started in 1996 when Scott Sheridan decided to leave his career in finance and buy the 76-acre site that would become Sheridan Vineyard. Greer still oversees all farming and winemaking. The estate’s first release was a 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend called L’Orage, and the L’Orage remains the estate’s most acclaimed wine. Sheridan also produces Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. Sheridan’s wines have earned scores in the high 90s. Wine Advocate has noted that the “intense Scott Greer is one of Washington’s rising stars. His wines are all sourced from estate vineyards which are just now starting to come into maturity…. There is really no mystery as to what Scott Greer is doing at Sheridan; total attention to detail, a great vineyard, impeccable farming, and non-interventionist winemaking.”

Columbia Valley AVA is larger than some states. At 18,000 square miles, or 11 million acres, the appellation covers almost half of Washington State and a small part of Oregon on the south side of the Columbia River. Established in 1984, Columbia Valley contains numerous sub appellations within its boundaries, including Yakima Valley AVA and Walla Walla AVA, both large and important wine districts. Columbia Valley AVA, generally called the Columbia Basin by Pacific Northwesterners, is in the Columbia River Plateau, and the AVA also includes a section of northeastern Oregon. There are dozens of microclimates within this appellation of about 7,000 vineyard acres. Many kinds of grapes are grown in the Columbia Valley, though the principal grapes planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. Eastern Washington experiences very hot summers and cold winters, and the northern latitude means that Washington vineyards receive several more hours of sun in the summer than California vineyards. Grapes in Washington therefore have time to develop significant tannins and overall ripeness.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.