WASHINGTON

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

94 Avennia 2018 Sestina Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley). This is blended with 17% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, with the fruit coming from top sites Bacchus, Dionysus and Red Willow. Plum aromas are followed by notes of mocha, scorched earth, pink peppercorn, dried leaf and cassis, showing detail and subtlety. The flavors are polished and seamless, with barely a hair out of place. It’s loaded with tannins combed to a fine sheen. An extremely long finish caps it off. The balance and intensity are impressive, but it’s the nuance and detail that defines this wine. Best after 2026, with a seemingly immortal life beyond that. Cellar Selection. —S.S.

abv: 14.5% Price: $75

93 Mark Ryan 2018 Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain). For full review see page 108. Cellar Selection.

abv: 14.8% Price: $60

93 Mark Ryan 2017 Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain). For full review see page 108. Cellar Selection.

abv: 14.8% Price: $95

93 Mark Ryan 2017 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley). A blend of Klipsun and Red Willow Vineyard fruit, the aromas pull you into the glass, with notes of spice, black currant, dried herb and bittersweet chocolate. A luscious palate follows, showing plenty of density and midpalate richness to the black fruit flavors. There’s more than enough scaffolding to stand it up straight. Yum. Best after 2025. Cellar Selection. —S.S.

abv: 15% Price: $65

92 18401 Cellars 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley). Black currant aromas are out front, followed by notes of herb and black licorice. Ripe, plump, dark-fruit flavors follow, showing a pleasing purity. The tannins are combed to a fine sheen, with a lovely balance to it all. Far from a big bruiser, this is a thinking person’s Cabernet, with plenty to think about. Editors’ Choice. —S.S.

abv: 14.7% Price: $75

92 Board Track Racer 2018 The Chief Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley). For full review see page 110. Editors’ Choice.

abv: 14.6% Price: $27

The aromas are quite. —S.S.