Columbia Crest Cabernet
Washington Cabernet, dual-oak aged, priced for Tuesday dinner.
The story behind Columbia Crest
Columbia Crest planted its first vineyards in eastern Washington in 1978, and the winery in Paterson opened in 1983 under Ste. Michelle Wine Estates with Doug Gore as founding head winemaker. The Columbia River Basin gives the fruit over 300 days of sunshine a year, which is why the Cabernet tastes of dark fruit rather than green stem.
Core Cabernet bottlings age in a dual-oak regimen, French and American barrels together, building black cherry and mocha over soft, structured tannins. In 2009 the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was named Wine Spectator's No. 1 Wine of the Year, the first Washington wine to take the honor. We have poured these bottles across this counter for decades.
Explore the Columbia Crest range
Columbia Crest builds Cabernet in tiers, from the everyday Grand Estates to the small-lot Reserve. Here is how the ladder runs.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet blend, Columbia Valley | 14.5% ABV | Black cherry, dark berries, chocolate, toasted oak |
| H3 Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet, Horse Heaven Hills | 14.5% ABV | Earthy dark fruit, toasted vanilla, firm tannin |
| Founders Series Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet with Petit Verdot | 14.5% ABV | Horse Heaven Hills fruit, earthy, vanilla finish |
| Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | Small-lot barrel select | 14.5% ABV | Concentrated, structured, built for cellaring |
| H3 Red Blend | Red blend, Horse Heaven Hills | 14.5% ABV | Plush dark fruit, cocoa, easy tannin |
| Grand Estates Merlot | Merlot, Columbia Valley | 14.5% ABV | Plum, mocha, soft finish, weeknight red |
CabernetColumbia Crest - Grand Estates Cab 750mL$12.99Out of stock
MerlotColumbia Crest - Grand Estates Merlot 750mL$10.99Out of stock
ChardonnayColumbia Crest - Grand Estates Chardon 750mL$9.99Out of stock
Shiraz/syrahColumbia Crest - Grand Estates Syrah 750mL$11.99Out of stock
WineColumbia Crest - Grand Estate Riesling 750mL$10.99Out of stock
CabernetColumbia Crest - Cabernet 1.5L$13.99Out of stock
WineColumbia Crest - Horse Heaven Pinot Gr 750mL$16.99Out of stock
WineColumbia Crest - H3 Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL$12.99Out of stock
MerlotColumbia Crest - H3 Merlot 750mL$12.99Out of stock
Sauvignon BlancColumbia Crest - H3 Sauvignon Blanc 750mL$10.99Out of stock
Red BlendsColumbia Crest - H3 Red Blend 750mL$7.99Which Columbia Crest is right for you?
The value story is the whole story here. Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon runs $12.99 for a 750mL, and the 1.5L of Columbia Crest Cabernet is $13.99, which is the bottle to grab for a backyard grill. H3 Cabernet Sauvignon sits at $12.99, H3 Merlot at $12.99, and the Grand Estates Merlot and Syrah at $10.99 and $11.99. The Reserve tier climbs into the $30 to $45 range when we have it. Buy Columbia Crest online or walk in and we will pull it from the shelf.
Magnum format, $13.99, enough for ribs and a crowd.
Horse Heaven Hills fruit at $12.99, a step up in earth and structure.
$12.99 everyday bottle with tannin that holds through dinner.