FEATURED WINES

COLUMBIA VALLEY CABERNET

NAUJAC 33 CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY 2018 BY NICHOLAS PEARCE

Bottle of Naujac 33 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2018 by Nicholas Pearce upright on a table next to coloured stacked bowls

Sure, there’s lots of beautiful reds coming out of Napa, but you’re going to pay for it. That’s why Nicholas Pearce’s Rue Naujac 33 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2018 made such an impression on the WineOnline tasting team when we first offered it last year: You simply don’t find big reds like this at the $30 price point very often.

The Columbia Valley region is hardly a “new kid on the block” but a region that has proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that it can do “Cabernet” as well as Napa!

You simply don’t find big reds like this at the $30 price point very often.

As in Napa reds, expect great concentration and voluptuous texture from Washington State Cabernets, this one checks every box on our list.

This Cab is a blend of two different vineyards from what is considered as some of Columbia Valley’s ‘Grand Crus’, one in Wahluke Slope AVA & the other in Horse Heaven Hills AVA. 2018 is likely the best Cabernet Sauvignon vintage in Washington since 2007 or 2012.

NAUJAC 33 CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY 2018: CHARACTERISTICS

BODY /  STYLE / OAK / Full-bodied / Warm and spicy, earthy, floral, fruity, mineral / Oaked

SWEETNESS / Extra Dry

CELLARING / Drink now or cellar

BEST PAIRINGS / Cured Meat, Hard Cheese, Red Meat, Veal roasted

TASTING NOTE / “It’s made of pure Cabernet Sauvignon, 64% of which is from the coveted Wahluke Slope AVA, and 36% Horse Heaven Hills AVA, with 15% new oak used for maturation. It’s crafted in a typically forward, plush and dark fruit flavoured Washington style, immediately engaging and appealing, with a vague sensation of sweetness on the palate to broaden appeal. Tannins are thick and velvety, while mocha-chocolate flavours fold into the fruit. Both sophisticated and approachable, a winning style all around, well priced.”

Nicholas Pearce vineyard sloping to lake with mountain range in background.
THE PRODUCER: NICHOLAS PEARCE

A LITTLE HISTORY

The Columbia Valley AVA was established in 1984 and is located on the eastern side of Washington State and a small part of Oregon.

The region contains 50,316 acres of vineyards representing 99% of Washington wine country, making it just a touch bigger than Napa Valley (45,000 acres.)

The Columbia Valley contains 12 other AVAs including the well-known Walla Walla Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain, and Yakima Valley.

This wine is the creation of Ontario importer Nicholas Pearce in partnership with a French winemaker with 30 years experience in Washington, Rue Naujac is the street Pearce lived on while studying/working in France, and Bordeaux is the country’s 33rd department, both of which gave the inspiration for the name and lot # of this wine.

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