Buty Winery, Horse Heaven Hills (Washington) 2008

 Columbia Rediviva was the name of the ship that Captain Robert Gray sailed up the then unnamed river in 1792 searching for the ever elusive northwest passage.  To recognize the importance of the river, Caleb Foster and Nina Buty Foster, owners of the winery, chose it for the name of one of their top wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Syrah blend.  According to their website, they were the first in Washington to make this blend, which is rarely seen outside of Australia.  It’s a blend that works extremely well, at least in their hands.  Fine, not aggressive, tannins support succulent black fruit notes and meaty overtones.  It’s a hearty wine with class and refinement.