A week ago found K., J. & me at the Woodinville Warehouse Wineries Third Thursday Wine Walk (W.W.W.T.T.W.W…or maybe not), and we ventured for the first time into the tasting room of Prosser-based Cowan Vineyards. Among assorted Western-themed decor and gift items (what wine pairs well with bison jerky?) were three wines to taste: their 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Tartan Red blend, and 2005 Cabernet Franc.
All were good, and at the far left end of the price spectrum for small family producers in Washington State…the regular price for each was about $18. At the tasting room, however, they’re all on sale right now: the blend and the Cabernet Franc were two bottles for $28, and the real steal–and perhaps best bargain I’ve ever seen in the warehouse district–the Cabernet Sauvignon was $12 a bottle.
A widespread complaint about Washington wines is their price, so the Cabernet Sauvignon really stood out. It’s had more time in bottle than almost anything you can buy in tasting rooms, and for its price, we all agreed that it’s a bargain. It’s not the fullest, richest Cab you’ve ever had, but it’s good…some red fruit (raspberries?), dark fruit (black currants?), and spices (perhaps a little licorice?). It’s very drinkable, not at all overpowering, and so much better than your typical mass-produced American red at that price point.
Give the Cowan Cabernet a try, if only to support good, affordable Washington wine, but do it soon…stock is limited to what’s on hand, and that looked like about half a dozen cases a week ago.
And check out the Third Thursday Wine Walk this summer…you can taste the offerings of 15+ Woodinville wineries for only $20, a steal compared to the regular $5 to $10 tasting fees at each one. July’s Wine Walk features an art & music theme.
