2019 Louwala Wines Horse Heaven Hills, Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

So said an early pioneer when he came upon an area in south-central Washington along today’s Washington-Oregon border with its wide prairies and dramatic, windswept vistas. Today, with vineyards added to the landscape, the area is officially known as the Horse Heaven Hills appellation.

Horse Heaven Hills is home to approximately 16,000 acres of grapevines, and the growers are proud to point out that their fruit has produced five wines that scored 100 out of 100 points in major wine publication ratings. The family farmers grow a diverse variety of grapes that benefit from the region’s clear blue skies and arid, hot summers.

Two-thirds of the acreage is planted to red wine grapes, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominating. Louwala’s 2019 Cabernet is more approachable than many Cabs, yet its complexity is certain to delight virtually any palate. Think of it as a little bit of Cabernet heaven.