A Wine for Tonight: 2009 Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon



By Kori ~ February 16th, 2012.

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2009 Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State.

Our selection criteria include:

  • A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
  • A price tag of <=$15
  • Must be widely available

Columbia Crest, located in Paterson, Washington, has been one of our favorite sources of value wines for many years. Last year, Juan Munoz Oca took over as head winemaker from Ray Einberger. Einberger had been at the helm since 2002 when he took the reins from Doug Gore who had been the winemaker since Columbia Crest was founded in 1983. The Columbia Crest winemaking team has produced more 90+ scoring bottles of wine than any other winery in the world. For those of us who live in Washington State, it is nice to have such a consistent, affordable producer in our own backyard.

“Strawberry, cherry and cola aromas and flavors harmoniously flow into the silky and soft palate that culminates into a long velvety finish.” –Winemaker Juan Munoz Oca

2009 Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington State): Deep ruby red. Aromatic with blackberry, black cherry, strawberry, Red Vines, and a hint of oak come through on the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high, drying tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $6.99; Available elsewhere, $6 to $10


Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, American Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Washington State Wine, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

Reader's Comments

  1. CJ | February 16th, 2012 at 7:16 am

    100% agree Love this wine.

  2. Kori | February 16th, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    CJ,
    Glad to hear it. Cheers!

  3. Khris | March 4th, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    This and the Two Vines Merlot-Cabernet are the cheap wines we stock up on and call our ‘house wine’. Even all the way down here in TN. Good wine at a great price.

  4. Kori | March 6th, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    Khris,
    Great choices for your “house” wines. Glad to hear you are enjoying Washington wines in Tennessee. Cheers!

  5. RJ Bodah | March 13th, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    Like to give a mention to the 2008 Two Vines Vineyard Red Wine if its ok? Looking forward to the release of the 2009.

  6. Kori | March 20th, 2012 at 11:49 am

    RJ,
    Thanks for sharing your recommendation. Cheers!

  7. steve | March 23rd, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    We’ve tried two bottles purchased two weeks apart albeit from the same retailer and have found it undrinkable with a moldy aftertaste.

  8. Kori | March 27th, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Steve,
    Sorry to hear it. That certainly wasn’t our experience. Cheers!

  9. RJ Bodah | March 27th, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    We drink these wines constantly and never had an undrinkable bottle. Be interest in how far wine traveled to your store. Columbia Crest should follow up. We live northeast of Seattle.