We recently stopped by Gilbert Cellars in Yakima, where we tasted a pre-release of one of the best Cab Francs we’ve ever experienced in Washington state. We also loved the pre-release of the 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Both of these excellent wines will be released in mid-October.

The 2007 Cab Franc comes from grapes that were planted in the mid-1980s at Indian Wells Vineyard. Words can’t describe how amazing this wine tastes. The same goes for the 2007 Estate Cab. I’ve written favorably about previous vintages, but this new release supercedes them all.

While we were there, Sean Gilbert and his team were notified that they won “Best Tasting Room in Yakima Valley” from the Yakima Valley Times. We were not surprised – in the year since our last visit to the inviting tasting room, the wine list has grown, as has the menu. And Gilbert Cellars’ tasting room recently was featured in Wines and Vines.

Indeed, Gilbert Cellars has been in the news a lot lately, so it also wasn’t surprising to find out that in 2008, they had more than doubled their production from 2006. And while Cab Franc and Cab Sauv were our favorites, followed by 2006 Claret, Gilbert Cellars has also won rave reviews for its 2006 Malbec and 2006 Syrah.

Stop by if you are anywhere near Yakima – and if you’re in the Seattle area, seek them out at wine events – they’re at many of them!

Cheers!