Substance

Sort By:

Substance 2008 Cs Cabernet Sauvignon

Online Exclusive

Price $20

Nine vineyards spread throughout eastern Washington contribute to this tart, earthy and dark-toned Cabernet. The alcohol reaches almost 14%, and in this vintage the acids are quite pronounced. Firm, focused cassis and black cherry fruit is framed in polished tannins. Grill a steak and slice some cheese and you are ready to roll with this one. — P.G. (8/1/2010)

points

Substance 2008 Mb Malbec

Price $20

It’s hard to find good Washington Malbec under $20. Start here. Stone Tree (Wahluke Slope) vineyard provided much of the fruit, and there is a small (10%) amount of new oak in the mix. This captures the steely core of cassis, matches it to sharp, defining acids, and hones the accents of herb and cinnamon spice to a perfect pitch. — P.G. (8/1/2010)

points

Substance 2008 Me Merlot

Online Exclusive

Price $20

This shows the ample muscle of Washington Merlot, with vineyard sources ranging from Canoe Ridge to Sagemoor to Seven Hills and beyond. It’s juicy, tangy, forward yet deep. This is not your ordinary Merlot; it’s got flavors of cured meat, almond pastry, and black tea sifting through, ephemeral but fascinating. At the heart is good black cherry fruit. — P.G. (8/1/2010)

points

Substance 2006 Me Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA))

Online Exclusive

Price $18

Best of the three, this ripe and round Merlot is fully loaded with juicy, appealing red and blue fruits. Forward and clean, with excellent palate penetration, its smooth tannins are supported with firm acid. — P.G. (7/1/2008)

points

Substance 2007 Cf Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley (WA))

Online Exclusive

Price $18

This is 92% Cab Franc and 8% Malbec, a lovely, aromatic expression of the two grapes together. No new wood was involved; it’s designed to showcase varietal flavors of tart berries and streaks of spice and coffee. Tannins are ripe and the acids completely natural. — P.G. (5/1/2009)

points

Substance 2007 Mb Malbec (Columbia Valley (WA))

Online Exclusive

Price $18

The six red wines of Substance are nicely differentiated, this being the most dry and tannic, with penetrating berry fruit flavors defining the core. There’s a wonderful sense of depth and the wine lingers in the mouth; quite dry but flavorful. The tannins are polished and ripe; one sip leads right into the next. — P.G. (5/1/2009)

points

Substance 2008 Cf Cabernet Franc

Online Exclusive

Price $20

This is made in the somewhat austere style of a Loire valley Chinon, done well here, adding nothing harsh, bitter or unpleasant to the wine. You will also find soft plum and cherry fruit, modest but perfectly ripe and proportionate, rounding out the midpalate. — P.G. (8/1/2010)

points

Substance 2008 Sy Syrah

Price $15

This is a fine introduction to Washington Syrah, as it shows not only the fruit (raspberry and boysenberry) but also the fragrances (earth, herb) and the nuances (rock, compost) that make these wines so complex and interesting. At this price, you can’t beat it. — P.G. (8/1/2010)

Most Reviewed Designations

Cf Co Cs Mb Me Sy

Most Reviewed Varietals

Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Counoise Malbec Merlot Syrah

2010 Andeluna Altitud

This is a high-quality Malbec with fleshy berry aromas that veer towards…

(Sponsored)