2009 Mackey Vineyards Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Mackey Vineyards is in Walla Walla. It was established in 2007 by Roger Mackey and his brother Philip when they bought a small vineyard with the intention of producing Bordeaux-style wines. Besides the estate vineyard, Mackey sources grapes from Eastern Washington vineyards. The Mackey Vineyards RAC is a Bordeaux Blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon and 39% Merlot. It was named after the Mackey brothers’ grandfather, Roger Adams Converse. Besides Bordeaux blends, the estate also produces Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Rhone blends. Wine reviewers often give Mackey wines ratings in the low to middle 90s.

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.