I have written before on this blog about the tremendous wines coming out of Washington State. I was a particular fan of the Duckhorn Canvasback Cabernet previously reviewed, which got a high rating from me despite its $39 price tag. This week’s wine hits a new mark for quality and value.
My new favorite Cabernet from Washington State is The Burn from Borne of Fire. Hands down. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also less than $20 a bottle! Kudos to the wine geologists exploring the growing potential of the Columbia Valley, because the land from which this wine comes is known by the locals as “The Burn,” a remote, rugged landscape so named from legends of early settlers who set fire to the land every Fall to replenish and rejuvenate the grasslands for their horses and cows in the spring. This region is so new it isn’t even an approved wine-growing area (AVA) yet! Whether the fires from those ancient days contributes to the impressive flavors of this wine or not is a question for enologists, but I can tell you this Cabernet blew my socks off.
The 2017 was just released, and it’s already sold out on Wine.com. You can find it at select wine stores locally so try your luck, and if it’s out of stock, order a bottle or two. At this price, you can’t go wrong. The Burn is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) and 20% Zinfandel, which is a blend you don’t often see from Washington State. Come to think of it, I don’t think I have ever even had a WS Zin! So this was a taste adventure for me: typical Cabernet flavors of cassis and plum hit first, with velvety cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit, smooth tannins, and a great texture. The finish is long and dry with a spicy minerality that I did not expect. This is a wine to drink and enjoy NOW. It may keep a year, maybe two, but if it’s drinking this well today, why wait?
On my five-cork scale based on taste and value, this wine excels on both counts. The Burn, 2017 Borne of Fire Cabernet gets 4.5 corks! A 92 point wine (James Suckling) for $19.99 a bottle is not only possible, it’s a reality, and you need to try it before they raise the price!
If you’d like to try interesting wines like this, please join me at our next private wine party at Sorrento’s Norwood Italian! I host a wine dinner there every month, and we feature several interesting wines, each paired with a delicious course. There are always cool prizes to win, too, so listen Wednesday at 4:15 to win your spot on the guest list, or click here for a chance to win!
