Wine Review: Mackey Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

Great things develop with time.

The Mackey brothers, Philip and Roger launched Mackey Vineyards in 2010. Expect great things from this winery.

Tasting Notes:

Color: Garnet
Nose: Opened with a caress of cherry, rose petal, pencil shavings, and vanilla, joined by chocolate wrapper, caramel taffy, crushed conifer needles and tobacco leaf.
Palate: Medium bright, currant, tart edges, cherry tart, vanilla. Bright at opening.
After 30 minutes bakers chocolate with orange notes on the finish - fresh.
At 60 minutes the wine began to open up, drier and fuller on the palate.
At two hours held steady. Magic window was three hours. Smooth, integrated, earthy read fruit, violets, cigar box, cumin, cherry, anise, very tasty accompaniment to dinner.

Thoughts: At opening a subtle tart wine. Suitable for food, especially Beef Carpaccio, Beef Tartar or an extremely rare bloody steak. For more enjoyment I would decant for at least an hour; interesting aromatics developed while the palate broadened, becoming drier and less tart. Suitable for Filet Mignon, rib roast, leg of lamb and especially Osso Bucco. After three hours dinner and wine were ready - sautéed mushrooms, red wine reduction sauce and tender steaks. The Mackey 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon was a beautiful match. My suggestion is to open and decant for three hours and then enjoy. Plenty of life in this bottle of wine to cellar for at least 5 years. Recommended.

Blend: 80.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.7% Merlot, 4.9% Petit Verdot.
Vineyards: Mackey, Heather Hills, Gamache.
Closure: Natural cork
ABV: 14.2%
SRP: $32
Review sample

Mackey Vineyards
4122 Powerline Road
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509.526.5160
www.mackeyvineyards.com

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