3.26.25

Taste WA “King Cabernet” Seminar featuring L’Ecole № 41 2017 Ferguson, Estate Ferguson Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley

Renowned for their balance, elegance, ageability, and sense of place, Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Washington is among the region’s most critically acclaimed varietals.  “We were honored for our 2017 Ferguson, Estate Ferguson Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley to be selected for feature as one of Washington’s top Cabernet Sauvignons,” Marty Clubb, L’Ecole № 41 Owner/Managing Winemaker.

Tasked with selecting the top Cabernet Sauvignons for Taste Washington’s “King Cabernet” Seminar, Celebrated Master of Wine, Bob Betz, began by identifying and procuring the 40 most lauded Cabernets and Cabernet-dominant blends produced in recent vintages.  The wines were then evaluated blind by a panel and the top 10 wines were selected for the seminar.

Tasting the full-slate of wines at the seminar Clubb remarked “today’s stellar line-up of ten benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant bottlings demonstrated just why the future is so bright for this varietal in Washington.  After working with Ferguson fruit and seeing how slowly it ages in barrel and bottle, it wasn’t a big surprise that Ferguson showed so well.  It still had plenty of freshness and youth even at eight years old.  I wish I had more in my glass!  It was a standout in the lineup due to Ferguson Vineyard’s high-elevation and fractured basalt soils.  I am excited to see all these wines evolve with additional cellar time.”

King Cabernet Seminar Wine Flight

• Andrew Will, Sorella, Champoux Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills, 2018  $97
• Betz Family, Heart of the Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, 2019  $135
• Col Solare, Tenuta Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, 2019  $200
• Corliss, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, 2019  $125
• Côte Bonneville, Estate Bottled, DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley, 2018  $125
• L’Ecole № 41, Estate Grown, Ferguson Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, 2017  $105
• Long Shadows, Feather Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, 2021   $85
• Quilceda Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, 2021   $250
• Trothe, Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, 2021   $240
• Woodward Canyon, Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, 2021    $110