Polished and vibrant, this lighter style brims with pretty raspberry and cranberry fruit, nicely wrapped with hints of chocolate and toast as the finish lingers against fine tannins. Best from 2014 through 2019. 540 cases made. 90 points

Featuring 14% Cabernet Franc with 9% Merlot, and sourced from a wide range of vineyards including the Gramercy estate, their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon appellated for the Columbia Valley will be succeeded in 2010 and subsequent vintage by separate Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley bottlings. A substantial portion this time around comes from Phinny Hill (next to Champoux, and for more about which see my account of Buty wines in this report), and since proprietor Dick Beightol has planted five acres of Cabernet Sauvignon just for Gramercy, perhaps there might also be a single-vineyard bottling in the latter`s future. Having sojourned in around 40% new oak makes this an exception among Gramercy wines, but that wood is subtly integrated. The nose here is strongly of arbor vitae, dark tobacco, cedar, cassis, and dark cherry, all of which follow on a palate characterized by sweet, juicy fruit underlain with firm but fine tannins. There is a rather somber, woodsy low-tone as well as a bite of juniper berry to the wine’s sustained finish. I suspect this will merit attention for at least the better part of a decade. Drink 2012 - 2022. 90 points