If you love Cabernet Sauvignon, you simply must experience the Mercer Columbia Valley Reserve 2009. We tried it for the first time at the winery’s tasting room in Prosser at the end of September and brought a couple of bottles home with us.

It was that good.

This well-balanced, complex, structured, yet voluptuous Cabernet Sauvignon is part of Mercer’s Twenty-Barrel Program, representing the very best 20 barrels at the winery.

A luscious blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Syrah, this beauty is sourced from grapes grown in the Wahluke Slope’s Desert Wind Vineyard and Sagemoor Vineyard, north of Pasco, in addition to Mercer’s Spice Cabinet Vineyard, located in the Horse Heaven Hills.

From Rob Mercer’s tasting notes:

“This sumptuous wine expresses the very best of what the growing season has bestowed upon us. It delivers delicious black cherry and currant with serious length and complexity. Enjoy a mouthful of spice, rich fruit and chocolate — this wine truly captures the essence of our 2009 vintage.”

Priced at less than $40, 2009 Mercer Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve was awarded 90 points from Wine Advocate, 88 points from Wine Spectator and a bronze medal at the Tri-Cities Wine Festival 2012.

According to our palates, it is worthy of higher points and should have taken home the gold.

By the way, the Mercer Family has farmed and ranched in Horse Heaven Hills for 125 years, 40 of which were spent growing grapes in the AVA.

If you’re planning a visit to Central Washington’s wine country, be sure to put Mercer Estates on your list of must-visit tasting rooms.

Cheers!