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The first thing a wine lover needs to know about the Columbia Valley in Washington state is that its climate is not like that of Seattle. Indeed, the largest AVA in the Pacific Northwest has more than 300 sunny days a year and gets about as much rain as the Mohave Desert. On the other hand, at 46° N, it shares the same latitude as the great French wine-growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, allowing for long summer days and a lengthy growing season. The Columbia Valley’s long growing season, rich volcanic soils, and plenty of mountain run-off for nurturing vines in the dry climate produce bold and nuanced wines, full of structure and balanced acidity. Produced from vineyards on south-facing hillsides, Castle Rock’s Cabernet Sauvignon is rich, structured and supple. Perfect for summer barbecue!
Producing low-priced wine is not difficult in California – as long as one uses undistinguished central valley grapes. Yet Castle Rock Winery sells premium, handcrafted wines from the best appellations in California, Oregon and Washington at prices that match those wines labeled “California.” Castle Rock Winery’s secret to providing “appellation wines at affordable prices” is to operate as a kind of “virtual winery,” owning neither its own vineyards nor a winery. Instead it maintains close, long-term relationships with around forty growers in such areas as Monterey County, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Willamette Valley and Colombia Valley and leases state-of-the-art winemaking facilities in all three states. Winemaker August "Joe" Briggs works closely with the growers to ensure they produce the best quality fruit while overseeing the winemaking at the same time. This unique method of operating allows Castle Rock to avoid the “money pits” of land and fancy buildings that sink many wineries and focus everything on securing the best grapes and crafting delicious wines. Since the beginning in 1994, Castle Rock has focused particularly on Pinot Noir, making distinct bottlings from such key Pinot districts as Carneros, Russian River Valley and Willamette Valley. However, over the years the winery has also branched out into other popular varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Riesling. Though an oft-repeated wine country adage goes, “it takes a fortune to make a small fortune in the wine business,” Castle Rock Winery has shown there is a way to make captivating wines for the discerning drinker without deep pockets.
| Country | USA |
| Region | Washington |
| Appellation(s) | Columbia Valley (Washington) |
| Winery | Castle Rock |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Color | Red |
| Varietal(s) | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Bottle Size | 7.5 x 30.5 |
| Case Size | 32.0 x 24.5 x 31.0 |
| Alcohol | 13.5% |
| Product Code | CA22CVC |
| UPC | 083837005820 |
90 points – James Suckling.
A nice nose of dark cherries, cassis, pomegranate and hints of clove and caramel gives way to a full-bodied, juicy palate of ripe blackberry, cedar, firm tannins and fresh acidity.
This wine was aged for 18 months in French oak.