Mercer Bros. 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Horse Heaven Hills

One of the Washington state wine industry’s leading families earned a spot on Wine Spectator magazine’s Top 100 for 2020 with this nicely priced and deliciously complex example of Cabernet Sauvignon. The panel with a worldwide focus no doubt became charmed by the aromas of cassis, black cherry, Herbes de Provence and bell pepper with secondary hints of toast and a scrape of slaty minerality that’s often found behind Horse Heaven Hills wines - red and white. On the attack, it’s purple-fruited juiciness led by plum and blackcurrant backed by pomegranate as sweet tannins lead out with a pinch of black pepper. Earlier this year, we also gave the Mercer Bros. 2017 Merlot our top rating, and there’s a sizable splash of Merlot (16%) in this. News of the recognition by world’s most influential wine publication — and the only Cab from Washington to make the WS Top 100 — is a nice way to close out a year that included Rob Mercer’s appointment as the Honorary Grower for the 2020 Auction of Washington Wines.

Rated “Outstanding!” by Great Northwest Wine.

Price: $20

Production: 14,980 cases

Alcohol: 14.5%

Food pairings: Enjoy with grilled steak, braised lamb shanks, prime rib, portobello mushrooms, meatloaf and strongly flavored cheese.

Mercer Estates

3100 Lee Road

Prosser, WA 99350

(509) 786-2097

mercerwine.com

Great Northwest Wine