94
points
Adams Bench 2007 the V Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))
-
$42
This is right down the center of the house style—plenty of new oak, deeply fruited, dark and smoky, with high alcohol and a strong, smoky bourbon barrel flavor. It’s a classic steakhouse wine. Some high-toned fruit puts it all in focus. For those who love big, tannic, oaky Cabs, this one delivers.
— P.G.
(11/1/2011)
93
points
Adams Bench 2008 Reckoning Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
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$39
This is finished in a dense, dark, super-saturated style, and aged in two thirds new French oak barrels. Grainy, smoky, ripe tannins wrap around deep cassis, black cherry and black olive, with occasional whiffs of truffle. For those who love a blockbuster style, this wine rocks. Just a little heat in the finish.
— P.G.
(11/1/2011)
93
points
Adams Bench 2008 the V Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))
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$49
This is the winery’s flagship Cabernet. It’s full-bodied, with classic Bing cherry Cabernet fruit as a base flavor; then a wrapping of toast and broad, astringent tannins. There’s ample acidity to lift it a bit, and finishing layers of coffee, licorice, smoke, olive and loam.
— P.G.
(11/1/2011)
92
points
Adams Bench 2008 Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley)
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$60
This single-vineyard wine is three quarters Cabernet Sauvignon and one quarter Merlot. The tannins are quite drying, but the fruit is outstanding. Berries, plums, and cassis, streaked with iron filings, and a deep, penetrating, dark, chewy finish.
— P.G.
(11/1/2011)
92
points
Adams Bench 2006 Reckoning Red (Washington)
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$34
This vintage of Reckoning has Malbec in the blend (it was subsequently replaced with Cab Franc), and a nice streak of herbal/tobacco flavor with aggressive tannins. The (relatively) lower alcohol cuts the sensation of alcohol burn, and the fruit is characteristically dark, sappy, compact and subservient to the dense, grainy tannins. A big wine for big wine lovers.
— P.G.
(11/1/2011)
91
points
Adams Bench 2007 Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
-
$48
). Has a Red Willow Cab ever shown this much dense cassis and black cherry fruit, with such high alcohol, massive, chewy tannins and a very long finish? It’s almost over the top, but then there are the lovely fruits—a riot of berries and cassis—along with toast and iron, hints of earth and olive.
— P.G.
(11/1/2011)
91
points
Adams Bench 2007 Reckoning Red (Washington)
-
$34
This is very dense, with a strong Bourbon barrel flavor component. The fruit is tight, the structure is balanced, and the mouthfeel massive. The tannins are matched to the density of the fruit, and add both mass and texture, though some tasters will definitely notice some burn in the finish.
— P.G.
(11/1/2011)