92 points from Washington’s leading wine writer, Owen Bargreen:
The excellent 2020 Blackboard Red Wine combines 63% Cabernet Sauvignon with 34% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. Stored in 60% new French oak for three months, this offers medium-bodied red cherry candy, dates, and cloves alongside coffee ground underpinnings on the palate. Very soft, clean and balanced, this is delicious stuff where everything comes together very neat and tidy. Great in the short-term this is a massive success considering the challenges of the vintage. Drink 2023-2028
He actually rated it above the Blackboard Cabernet Sauvignon – as well as the best wine yet from this exciting project.
And 91 for Suckling:
Aromas of ripe mulberries and blueberries with chocolate, citrus peel and violet fragrance to it. Medium- to full-bodied, mellow and delicious with vivid blue-fruited character, crunchy tannins and a spiced, chalky finish. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot and 3% petit verdot.
He actually rates it above the $45 Matthews Columbia Valley Cuvee in this vintage. And very close to their $120 Reserve bottling.
But I really love how head winemaker Alex Stewart describes what makes Washington reds like this so special:
I make a video game analogy. If you're picking your avatar for a video game in terms of heat units, access to great water, diurnal shift, and fantastic soils, Washington is a ten in all those aspects. It would break the video game!
In terms of wine drinkers, Napa drinkers looking to convert to Bordeaux or Bordeaux drinkers looking to shift to Napa have to go through Washington. We have the freshness in our wines that Napa wishes it had. We have the ripeness that Bordeaux wishes it could get year in and year out. We are amazingly consistent, almost to the point of boredom.
As always, great vineyards + great winemaking = great wine.
And in this case, at a great price, too!
