Quintessential Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. That was the quest that we embarked upon over twenty years ago, when the first vintage of Père de Famille, the Father of the Family, was resting in the cellar. The journey to find it has had us crisscrossing the state ever since, exploring vineyards from the Western Yakima Valley to Walla Walla, searching for superlative, expressive parcels. After two decades of stained hands, purple teeth, and dusty shoes, we think we’re on to something: a wine that expresses the powerful and penetrating soul of Columbia Valley Cabernet.

The 2017 Père de Famille starts vibrantly with a brilliant, ruby-magenta color that extends from one rim of the glass to the other, hinting at the wild aromatics to follow. There’s a wide range of rich aromas: black and blue fruit, fresh bay leaf, thyme and eucalyptus, violets, and tobacco. On the palate, the wine has power and plushness with rich cassis, baking spice, and pronounced salinity. The lengthy finish is mouthwatering, permeated by the minerality that lingers throughout. Elegant and muscular, this is delicious now but has the promise of a long life ahead in the cellar.