How I Rated the Adams Bench 2007 Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon 20 Points

When I finished tasting the 2007 Adams Bench Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon at Erica and Tim Blue's winery in Woodinville, I knew that it was a wine that merited 20 out of a possible 20 points. It was flawless and highly complex. I use the U. C. Davis 20 Point System for rating wines (for more information about the 20 point system, see my 07 September blog). From my copious tasting notes, I filled out a score sheet with the system's criteria. Here's how the Red Willow Cabernet scored:

Clarity (2 points) - Brilliant, near sparkly, clear with no haze or particulates.

Color (2 points) - Appropriate color fort varietal/type and age.

Bouquet (4 points) - Distinct varietal characteristics, balanced bouquet.

Total Acidity (1 point) - Proper balance, appropriate for varietal/type.

Sweetness (1 point) - Appropriate sweetness, well enhanced/well balanced.

Body/Texture (2 points) - Appropriate body for varietal/type and age.

Flavor/Taste (2 points) - Complex flavors, appropriate for varietal/type and age.

Acescensy (Bitterness) (1 point) - Well balanced, no perceptible bitterness.

Astringency (1 point) - Appropriate levels of tannin for the varietal/type and age.

Overall Quality (4 points) - Wines of "noble" quality with distinct and distinguishing character.

This adds up to a perfect 20 points. It is with the "Overall Quality" that the Red Willow earns a perfect score. Not just technically flawless, it is a complex, highly nuanced wine, more than outstanding (which would get 19 or 19.5 points). Since I started the Review of Washington Wines, I have not seen a wine as complex and compelling as this one.

Will there be another 20 point wine in the Review? Most likely, yes. I believe Washington state has the potential to produce other perfect wines. I already has a couple of candidates in mind, but it is too early to tell; both are 2008's, and still young, underdeveloped wines. Time will tell.

In sum, the Adams Bench 2007 Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon is, in my opinion, a "must buy" wine. More than half of the 70 cases made have already been sold (I have already reserved mine) and I am sure it will sell out quickly. It is being released at the winery on Saturday, March 6th. And be sure to buy some of the 2007 Reckoning (18.5+ points) and the 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon "the V" (19+) points, both reviewed in the February issue of the Review. Both are highly recommended.