Cedar + Salmon Cabernet Sauvignon

Cedar + Salmon Cabernet Sauvignon is a Washington State red wine bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 92 points from Tasting Panel magazine across both the 2015 and 2021 vintages, this Columbia Valley blend layers Cabernet Sauvignon with small portions of Malbec and Merlot to produce a richly spiced, dark-fruited red with genuine structure.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington  |  Style: Red Blend (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Merlot)  |  Producer: 3 Badge Enology

Production & Heritage

Cedar + Salmon is produced by 3 Badge Enology, the wine division of 3 Badge Beverage Corporation. Operating as a négociant, 3 Badge sources fruit rather than farming its own vineyards—a model that gives the winemaking team flexibility to select specific lots from Horse Heaven Hills, one of Columbia Valley's warmest and most consistent appellations. The blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, and 7% Merlot is aged approximately 18 months in a combination of new French oak, new American oak, and neutral barrels. Recent vintages have used roughly 30% new oak, striking a balance between wood influence and fruit expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla open the nose, joined by deeper layers of espresso and tobacco leaf. As the wine breathes, concentrated blackberry and black currant aromas emerge alongside a subtle herbal quality.

Taste: The entry is soft and inviting, quickly building to saturated flavors of juicy blackberry and dark plum at mid-palate. Bay leaf, allspice, and dark chocolate develop through the middle, while vibrant acidity and sturdy but integrated tannins provide a firm backbone. The Malbec and Merlot fractions contribute additional roundness and textural depth.

Finish: Long, dry, and layered, with lingering hints of cracked pepper and toasted cedar. A silky mouthfeel carries through to the close, leaving a clean, satisfying impression.

How to Drink Cedar + Salmon

Serve at cellar temperature (60–65°F) for the fullest expression; twenty to thirty minutes of air in the glass further opens the spice and dark fruit aromatics. This wine is also a capable cocktail component: try it in a Classic Sangria, where the blackberry and warm spice notes anchor citrus and brandy additions; a Kalimotxo, where its soft tannins and dark fruit pair naturally with cola over ice; or a New York Sour, floated over bourbon and lemon for a dramatic layered finish.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners built around grilled steaks or braised short ribs
• Introducing a friend to Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon
• Stocking an everyday wine rack with a reliable, food-friendly red
• Casual dinner parties where a crowd-pleasing, approachable red is essential

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cedar + Salmon taste like? Cedar + Salmon delivers ripe blackberry and dark plum up front, followed by dark chocolate, allspice, and a thread of bay leaf through the mid-palate. Sturdy tannins and a peppery, cedar-tinged finish give it more structure than many wines at this tier.

How does Cedar + Salmon compare to Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are widely available Washington State Cabernets, but Cedar + Salmon incorporates 8% Malbec and 7% Merlot and sees roughly 18 months of oak aging, yielding a spicier, more layered profile. Columbia Crest Grand Estates tends toward brighter cherry fruit and lighter tannins, making it slightly more straightforward on the palate.

Is Cedar + Salmon good for sipping neat? Yes—its soft entry, silky mouthfeel, and moderate 14% ABV make it easy to enjoy on its own without food. A short rest in the glass after pouring lets the spice and chocolate aromatics develop fully.

Where is Cedar + Salmon made? The grapes are sourced from Horse Heaven Hills, a sub-appellation within Washington's Columbia Valley known for warm days, cool nights, and consistent ripening conditions. The wine is produced by 3 Badge Enology, a négociant operation based in California that specializes in sourcing and blending fruit from premium growing regions.

What foods pair well with Cedar + Salmon? Grilled ribeye steak works naturally with the wine's dark fruit and sturdy tannins. Braised lamb shanks echo its warm spice notes, while aged cheddar complements the toasted oak character. Mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, herbal undertones, and dark chocolate desserts mirror the mid-palate cocoa flavors.

What sizes does Cedar + Salmon come in? Cedar + Salmon Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Cedar + Salmon worth the price? Cedar + Salmon positions as a value-tier Washington Cabernet that regularly punches above its weight—earning 92 points from Tasting Panel on multiple vintages. For an everyday red with genuine complexity and 18 months of oak aging, it represents strong value within the Columbia Valley category.

Why Cedar + Salmon?

Two separate 92-point scores from Tasting Panel magazine—spanning the 2015 and 2021 vintages—demonstrate consistency across multiple years of production. The 85/8/7 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot is uncommon at this price point and adds textural richness that a straight varietal bottling often lacks. Horse Heaven Hills fruit gives the wine a reliable backbone of ripe dark fruit and natural acidity, while the mixed-oak aging program layers in spice and structure without overwhelming the core flavors. For drinkers exploring Washington State Cabernet or looking for an everyday red that rewards attention, Cedar + Salmon delivers substance well beyond its category.