CLASSY CAB

MOST OF the wines I sample and recommend on my Wine Picks page are solid, enjoyable and budget-friendly. But now and then, I have opportunity to check out the kind of wines that stop me in my tracks, and send me to  the computer to find out what makes them so special. The $50-per-bottle Spring Valley Vineyard Frederick Red Wine was one of those.
The wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is named for Frederick Corkrum, a young man who grew up in Spring Valley, and played football at Whitman College. Aside from the local history and charming label, this elegant wine is about as good as a Cabernet gets. It has structure and super rich, deep blackberry flavors. It's velvety smooth, but with enough of a spice kick to keep the tongue entertained.
All of the grapes used to make the wine come from Spring Valley Vineyard is situated 12 miles northeast of Walla Walla, in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. Grapes are fermented 10 to 20 days, and punched down by hand twice a day. In addition to the Cab, Spring Valley also produces a Merlot, a Syrah and two other Cabernets. All are named after family members, and each one is its own excellent self. For more information, go to http://www.springvalleyvineyard.com/