Amavi Cellars Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

"Odedi"

This is a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Washington. Showing black fruits with chocolates, earth, light vegetables, pencil lead, peppercorn, leather, tobacco, earth and green herbs. Dry on the palate with a spicy and tangy finish. Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs. Needs a couple of hours to open up properly. Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a cheese plate and crackers. 14.5% alcohol by volume. 89 points. $33.

"Odedi"

Deep ruby in color with a short purplish rim. Fruity nose with black currants, blueberries, wood, vanilla, spices, vegetables, herbs, earth, black pepper, dust and graphite. Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs. Dry on the palate with black plums, blueberries, currants, vanilla, wood, spices, peppercorn, dark coffee, tobacco leaf, earth, bitter herbs, spices and vegetables. Medium plus in finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries. This is a nice Cabernet based Bordeaux blend from Walla Walla Valley. Earthy with mild complexity and a soft mouthfeel. Needs an hour to open up properly. Good by itself and better with food. I paired it with a cheese with truffles, and it was very enjoyable together. Feels like a blend of old world and new world wine. Would be interesting to see it develop in the next few years. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged in mostly French oak barrels (28% new). 14.5% alcohol by volume. 88 points. $33.

Neil Valenzuela

Deep ruby color. Aromas of black fruit, leather and lead. Delicious black fruit on the palate and cocoa.