2022 Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 6pk 6x750ml

Seven Hills Winery was the fifth bonded winery in the Walla Walla Valley AVA, founded in 1988 by Casey and Vicky McClellan after the family planted some of the region's first significant vineyards in 1980. Fourth-generation Eastern Washington farmer Casey McClellan put 21 acres of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the ground in the early 1980s, then built the winery eight years later in a restored 1904 building in downtown Walla Walla. The winery helped pioneer the resurgence of Walla Walla viticulture when the region was still a question mark.

Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon lives in that rare space where Washington power meets structural restraint — high-altitude fruit, volcanic soils, and a growing season that stretches long and cool enough to keep the tannins tight and the acidity bright. This 2022 shows exactly that: striking garnet color, pronounced aromatics of red cherries, black raspberry, and black tea layered with fresh herbs, cedar box, and earth. Medium-plus body, lush texture, firm tannins, balanced acidity. Rich black fruits mingle with espresso grounds on the palate, bold flavors of cherries and raspberry accompanied by dark chocolate, baking spice, vanilla bean, and a touch of dried herbs.

James Suckling scored it 93 points and called it "rich and creamy, drenched in marinated cherries, blackberries and milk chocolate. Mouth-filling, deep and full-bodied but nicely polished in texture." Wine Spectator and Owen Bargreen both landed at 92. Winemaker Bobby Richards makes some beautiful wines for Seven Hills, and this one drinks well above its $27 price tag — the kind of Cabernet that makes you wonder why you're paying double elsewhere.

Drink it now through 2036. The structure says it'll hold, but the fruit's so good right now there's no reason to wait.