Kiona Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Kiona Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750ml, estate-grown Red Mountain AVA Cabernet blend from one of Washington State's founding vineyard families. The 2022 vintage earned 93 points from Wine Advocate, 93 points from Decanter, and 94 points from International Wine Report—positioning it among the most critically acclaimed Red Mountain Cabernets in recent memory.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by vintage  |  Origin: Red Mountain AVA, Washington State  |  Style: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Blend  |  Winery: Kiona Vineyards (Est. 1975)

Production & Heritage

Founded in 1975, Kiona Vineyards was among the first estates planted in what is now Washington's Red Mountain AVA—a compact, arid appellation prized for producing deeply colored, intensely structured Cabernet Sauvignon. The Reserve bottling is only produced in vintages the family considers exceptional, which means it sometimes skips years entirely. The 2022 blend is composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Merlot, all sourced from estate vineyards on Red Mountain's mineral-rich slopes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cassis and ripe blackberry rise immediately, followed by nutmeg, mint chocolate, and a subtle hint of orange peel. With time in the glass, cigar box and earthy undertones develop.

Taste: Dense and full-bodied on entry, concentrated dark fruit drives toward a mid-palate defined by sweet-spice complexity. Fine-grained tannins provide serious structure without harshness, while layers of chocolate and eucalyptus add depth that unfolds over several minutes.

Finish: Long, chewy, and persistent, with lingering dark berry, earth, and a cool trace of mint. The tannins resolve into a polished, satisfying close that invites the next sip.

How to Serve Kiona Reserve

Pour into a large-bowled Bordeaux glass and decant for 30 to 60 minutes to allow its layered complexity to fully open. Serve at 60–65°F. This is a wine built for the dinner table—grilled lamb chops with rosemary bring out its herbal and dark fruit character, slow-braised short ribs complement its density and tannic grip, and a dry-aged ribeye steak stands up to its concentration and weight.

Best For

• Cellaring 5–15 years as part of a serious Washington State wine collection
• Pairing with a special dinner featuring grilled red meats or slow-braised dishes
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Pacific Northwest terroir
• Exploring Red Mountain AVA as an alternative to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kiona Reserve taste like? Kiona Reserve delivers dense, concentrated dark fruit—primarily cassis and blackberry—layered with cigar box, nutmeg, mint, and chocolate, supported by fine-grained tannins and a long, earthy finish.

How does Kiona Reserve compare to Col Solare? Both are estate-grown Red Mountain AVA Cabernet Sauvignons with Bordeaux-style blending, but Col Solare—a Château Ste. Michelle and Antinori collaboration—typically sits at a higher price tier. Kiona Reserve achieves comparable critical scores while reflecting a single-family estate philosophy rooted in nearly five decades of farming Red Mountain.

Is Kiona Reserve good for aging? Yes—its concentrated fruit, structured tannins, and layered complexity suggest a drinking window of 5 to 15 years from vintage, though it rewards decanting and drinks well upon release.

Where is Kiona Reserve made? Kiona Reserve is produced at Kiona Vineyards on Red Mountain in Washington State, an AVA within the Yakima Valley celebrated for its warm, arid climate and mineral-rich soils that are ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with Kiona Reserve? Grilled lamb chops highlight its herbal and dark fruit notes; slow-braised short ribs complement its density and tannin; aged Manchego or Gruyère match its earthy complexity; dry-aged steak stands up to its concentration; and dark chocolate desserts echo its cocoa undertones.

What sizes does Kiona Reserve come in? Kiona Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Kiona Reserve worth the price? Kiona Reserve positions as a premium Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, and its consistent 93–94 point scores from publications including Wine Advocate, Decanter, and International Wine Report suggest strong value relative to comparably rated bottlings from Napa Valley and other prestigious American appellations.

Why Kiona Reserve?

Kiona Vineyards holds a singular place in Washington wine history as one of the original plantings on Red Mountain, with roots stretching back to 1975. The Reserve bottling represents the family's most selective cuvée, produced only in vintages that demonstrate exceptional quality—a philosophy that gives each release genuine scarcity and purpose. With the 2022 vintage earning 93 points from both Wine Advocate and Decanter alongside 94 points from International Wine Report, Kiona Reserve stands as compelling evidence that Red Mountain competes at the highest levels of American Cabernet Sauvignon. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking depth beyond Napa, this is one of Red Mountain's most proven estate wines.