2005 Columbia Crest "Walter Clore" Columbia Valley" Washington Red
SKU #1052605
92 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe and polished, with gorgeous chocolate-tinged black currant, black raspberry and coffee notes swirling through the long, vivid finish. Tempting now, but should develop more with cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2016. 6,500 cases made. " (02/09) 90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Columbia Crest's flagship is the 2005 Walter Clore Private Reserve, a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. It was aged for 26 months in new French oak. Purple-colored it exhibits an alluring bouquet of toast, coconut, chocolate, graphite, spice box, black currant, and black cherry. Medium to full-bodied, savory, and structured, this well-balanced effort will improve for another 3-5 years in the bottle and offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2025." (10/09) 90 points Wine Enthusiast: "The finest Walter Clore since the 2001, this Bordeaux-style blend shows considerable muscle and depth. Built upon firm, cherry-berry fruit, it adds nuances of baking spice, pepper, vanilla wafer and a pleasing earthiness to the tannins. It represents the ultimate expression of Columbia Crest, and the 2005 marks a welcome return to excellence." (05/09)