Barnard Griffin Winery, Columbia Valley (Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 This mainstream Cab is blended from three vineyards: Sagemoor, Arete, and Black Rock which is in Yakima Valley.  Despite Covid and the threat of smoke, 2020 is described as “a welcoming respite in an otherwise unprecedented and unrelenting year.  Nature gave us a remarkably unremarkable harvest — which is not necessarily a bad thing.  A Goldilocks vintage, if you will: not too hot, not too cold.  Just right.”  The final blend which was barrel aged for 16 months includes 8% Syrah, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot.  Dark garnet, this Cab strikes me as Bordeaux-ish with all the parts working seamlessly together.  Plum, baking spice, a hint of walnut and light oak define the aroma.  With airing, a subtle black olive note joins in.  Medium bodied, it shows some good concentration of ripe fruit, but is smooth in texture, with soft, round tannins.  Delivers more charm, complexity, and classic character than similarly priced Cabs.  Bottled in April, 2022.  Total production was 2,940 cases.