91-Point Washington Cabernet: DeLille’s Métier

91-Point Washington Cabernet: DeLille’s Métier for $22.98

Washington Cabernet has become one of the most compelling categories in American wine, and Columbia Valley is at the center of that story. When Kate Toth of Boston Wine Co. brought this to us, we were wowed by the value, hence offering it to you today!

The Columbia Valley appellation is enormous, but what makes it interesting is the combination of long, sunny growing days and dramatically cooler nights. That swing in temperature helps Cabernet reach full ripeness while holding onto acidity, which is why the best examples can have plenty of dark fruit and generosity without feeling heavy or overly soft.

That balance is exactly what we like about the 2022 Métier Cabernet Sauvignon from DeLille Cellars.

DeLille sources Métier from vineyards throughout Columbia Valley, making this a broader expression of the region rather than a single-vineyard or single-AVA Cabernet. Métier shows ripe black cherry, plum and darker berry fruit, with cedar, baking spice and a juicy midpalate. Fine-grained tannins and bright acidity keep everything pulled together, while aging in 40% new oak adds polish without making the wine feel overly heavy.

We think this is the sweet spot for Washington Cabernet. It has enough structure and savory character to interest someone who normally reaches for Bordeaux, but there’s also the generous fruit and immediate appeal that make New World Cabernet so satisfying.

The critics agree.

91 Points- Wine Enthusiast
Michael Alberty found blueberries, citrus zest, cedar, black raspberry and coffee, along with lively acidity, fine tannins and a sleek texture, ultimately calling it a strong value at its average price of $33.00 a bottle.

91 Points, James Suckling
91 Points ,International Wine Report
90 Points ,Owen Bargreen

For the pairing, we’re keeping things in Washington with Seattle-based chef Maximillian Petty of Eden Hill and his Braised Wagyu Short Ribs. The savory combination of beef, wild mushrooms and black garlic is exactly the kind of food that brings out the darker fruit, cedar and earthy side of Cabernet. If you didn’t want to get this fancy, we’d recommend Mark Bittman’s Japanese beef stew. You can throw it together in no time, and the fall flavors are absolutely a perfect balance for this Cabernet.

Football Sundays don’t always have to mean beer and nachos. A pot of slow-braised short ribs or stew and a bottle of Washington Cabernet would make for a pretty darn cozy afternoon.

Get Chef Maximillian Petty’s Braised Wagyu Short Rib recipe
Get Mark Bittman’s Japanese Beef Stew Recipe

Cabernet at Flash pricing thru October 11th, HERE. Scroll below for this week’s upcoming events & the rest of this week’s FLASH offers.