One of the highlights of Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine on June 20-22 was the Panel Tasting of Napa Valley and Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignons on Friday, the 21st. Moderated by Paul Gregutt, the panel consisted of three Napa Valley winemakers, Philip Corallo-Titus of Chappellet, Jeff Ames of Rudius and Landon Donley of Spottswoode, and Walla Walla Valley winemakers, Jean-Francois Pellet of Pepper Bridge, Rick Small of Woodward Canyon and Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar. As the wines were tasted, each winemaker discussed his wine and winemaking approach. Six wines were tasted, all from the 2009 vintage. Here are my notes and comments.

2009 Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($135)

This is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 15% Petit Verdot and 10% Malbec. It showed a dark purple color and a smoky nose of blackberry, cherry, cassis and incense. The dark fruits were taut and focused, with notes of licorice, espresso and gunflint. The back revealed squeezed berries, kirsch liqueur and charcoal, followed by a polished finish with evident oak. 19+/20 points.

2009 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($145)

This is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon. It showed an opaque purplish color and a classic nose of blackberry, black cherry, black olive, cigar box, fennel and black roses. The flavors were thick and saturated, full bore, with bittersweet chocolate and Italian roast. The focused back picked up roasted berries and nuts, toasty integrated oak and sweet blueberries. Smooth tannins made the wine approachable, but ageworthy. 19.5/20 points.

2009 Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($85)

This was the only 100% Cabernet Sauvignon in the group. It showed a purplish color and a rich, sweetish, smoky nose of raspberry, blueberry, cassis, attar of rose and mulberry. The flavors were fleshy and mouth saturating, yet focused, with notes of Swiss chocolate, mocha and earth. The back was warm and a bit soft and juicy, with toasty oak (70% new) and moderate tannins. Jeff Ames characterized it as having a "blueberry profile." 19+/20 points.

2009 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($60)

Purplish ruby colored, this wine showed a smoky nose of dried cherries, crushed roses and oriental perfumes. The flavors were thick and chewy textured, yet focused, with notes of French roast, mocha and silty minerals. The back showed a firm grip, with a seamless texture and a long integrated oak and spiced finish. Jean-Francois Pellet called it a "complete complex" wine. 19+/20 points.

2009 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($90)

This wine is 88% Cabernet Sauvgnon. It showed a semi opaque ruby color and an intense nose of blackberry, cherry, cassis, cigar box, crushed roses and incense. The flavors showed varietal purity, interwoven with chocolate, French roast, and minerals. The back revealed macerated berries, silky integrated oak and subtle spices, followed by a long satiny ripe tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.

2009 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($40)

This wine showed a purplish ruby color and a ripe nose of blackberry, cherry and cassis, with scents of roses and hints of orange peel and mint. The dark fruit flavors were focused, with notes of chocolate and French roast. The back picked up touches of roasted berries, dried cherries and graphite, followed by a lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. 19/20 points.

Overall, the wines were outstanding and, while varying stylistically, were nearly equal qualitatively, scoring within a half point of each other. The big difference was in the pricing. The Walla Walla Valley Cabernets were one half to two thirds the prices of those from the Napa Valley, proof that they offer higher price-guality ratios.

The Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine - The World of Cabernet Sauvignon event was a highly successful event. People came from all over the country for it. We met a couple from Honolulu and one from Texas. The format will be continued for the most part next year, with the Syrah grape as the featured varietal. It will be held June 19-21, 2014. Put it on your calendars!