Washington's outstanding Champoux vineyard

The highlight of the Pacific North West tasting in London earlier this year was a clutch of very fine Cabernet Sauvignons from Champoux vineyard in Washington state. They reinforced my impression from the rest of the tasting that Cabernet can be a real star among the state's reds, particularly when the vines are more mature, the site just right and the vineyard manager a perfectionist. First some background, then the tasting notes.

Washington has 14,570 ha (36,000 acres) of vineyards, 90% in production. There are 11 AVAs and more than 650 wineries. This seminar – with a live link to...