2012 Côte Bonneville Estate DuBrul Vineyard Yakima Valley Red Blend Washington

(97 points) “It’s a particularly good sign when all I want to do is smell the wine in the glass. The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Dubrul Vineyard has me entranced under its spell with aromas of fig, toffee, dried cherries and plum skin with elegant baking spices and dried purple flowers that lift the expression out of the glass. Medium-bodied, with 13.6% alcohol and no hard edges, the wine continually reveals layers of complexity and elegance in a seemingly endless parade of precision and finesse. Even though this is almost a decade old, the current release of 2012 shows life and longevity with fresh dark cherries and Christmas spice flavors. The Cabernet ends with a persistent finish that evolves on the palate for more than a minute, whispering in my ear and enticing me back for more. I can’t put the glass down, and I am not spitting a single drop. This is hands-down the best bottle I’ve ever tried from Côte Bonneville. Have no doubt, this is highly collectible and worthy of sitting next to the first growths in your cellar. The 2012 vintage marks this bottling's third ever release, clearly securing Kerry Shiels among the top echelon of Washington winemakers. It spent about two years in 100% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered and unfined, the Cabernet hibernated in the bottle for half a decade before being released to the world. Only 432 absolutely brilliant bottles were filled. It's well worth the price.” (12/2020)  Wine Advocate