Barter & Trade Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2020

The 2020 vintage of Barter & Trade is 92% cabernet sauvignon, 4% syrah, and 4% cabernet franc, aged in 50/50 new and seasoned French oak. This is the sixth vintage released by winemaker Andrew Jones, who also makes wines for Field Recordings and Wonderwall in California. He became enamored with the wines coming out of Washington and told himself if he ever had the opportunity to make some, he would go for it. The grapes are grown in the Cascade Mountain foothills along the Columbia Valley, from Ancient Lakes to Walla Walla. For the first few vintages, with some barter & trade, he arranged for the grapes to be driven overnight to him in California. Now the grapes are crushed and fermented in Washington and then the wine is brought to Paso Robles for aging and finishing. This wine is bold and concentrated with well-balanced tannins, voluptuous dark fruits, and hints of cocoa and vanilla.