Tamarack Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Tamarack Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a Columbia Valley, Washington Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Tamarack Cellars in a standard 750ml bottle. Earning 90 points from Wine Spectator, this limited-production vintage of just 1,700 cases showcases the depth achievable from Columbia Valley fruit aged entirely in French oak.

Quick Facts: Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Oak: 100% French (65% New)  |  Winery: Tamarack Cellars, Walla Walla

Production & Heritage

Tamarack Cellars operates out of a renovated firehouse on a World War II Army Air Base in Walla Walla, Washington — an origin story as distinctive as the wines themselves. For the 2019 vintage, grapes were gently crushed and dropped into 1.5-ton fermentation bins for a 24-hour cold soak before inoculation with a variety of yeast strains, then hand-punched throughout fermentation until activity slowed. The wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels — 65% new and 35% second- and third-use — giving it a refined oak integration that avoids the heavy-handed vanilla character sometimes found in heavily oaked Washington Cabernets. Only 1,700 cases were produced, placing this firmly in the limited-production tier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Red fruit dominates initially — dark cherry and raspberry — before giving way to savory layers of cedar, leather, and cigar box. A rocky, floral undercurrent adds complexity as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is juicy and ripe, with expressive red and black fruit tones that build through the mid-palate into focused notes of dark plum, mocha, and cola. The mouthfeel is polished and medium to full-bodied, with balanced structure, succulent acidity, and brown baking spice accents threading through each sip. Black currant and licorice emerge on the back palate.

Finish: Firm, snappy tannins provide grip without harshness, carrying espresso and tobacco accents into a lingering close. The finish is structured and dry, with enough length to reward patient sipping.

How to Drink Tamarack Cabernet 2019

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass. Decanting for 30–45 minutes opens up the cedar and floral aromatics noticeably. This is a food-friendly Cabernet that performs best alongside grilled or braised red meats. A classic Cabernet Sauvignon pairing with herb-crusted lamb chops draws out the wine's savory cedar and leather notes. Smoked short ribs complement its mocha and dark plum richness. A simple aged cheddar board lets the firm tannins and black currant fruit stand on their own.

Best For

• Building a cellar of age-worthy Washington Cabernets
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates limited-production bottlings
• Pairing with a steak dinner or holiday roast
• Exploring Columbia Valley beyond the mass-market labels

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tamarack Cabernet 2019 taste like? It delivers a core of dark cherry, plum, and black currant layered with mocha, cola, and cedar, all framed by firm tannins and balanced acidity. The overall impression is polished, medium to full-bodied, and savory.

How does Tamarack Cabernet 2019 compare to Milbrandt Cabernet Sauvignon 2019? Both are Columbia Valley Cabernets from the same vintage and similar price tier, but Tamarack's 100% French oak program (with 65% new barrels) and hand-punched fermentation yield a more structured, savory profile. Milbrandt tends toward a fruit-forward, approachable style that drinks well younger.

Is Tamarack Cabernet 2019 good for sipping neat? Yes — this wine's polished mouthfeel and layered complexity make it well-suited to drinking on its own, especially after a brief decant to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is Tamarack Cabernet 2019 made? Tamarack Cellars is located in Walla Walla, Washington, housed in a renovated firehouse on a former World War II Army Air Base. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are sourced from vineyards across the broader Columbia Valley AVA.

What foods pair well with Tamarack Cabernet 2019? Grilled ribeye steak highlights the wine's firm tannins and dark fruit. Braised lamb shanks echo its cedar and leather notes. Aged Gouda or sharp cheddar complement its structure. Dark chocolate with espresso mirrors the mocha finish. Herb-roasted portobello mushrooms work for a vegetarian pairing, matching the wine's savory depth.

What sizes does Tamarack Cabernet 2019 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; no alternative sizes have been confirmed for this vintage.

Is Tamarack Cabernet 2019 worth the price? Tamarack positions as a mid-premium Columbia Valley Cabernet, and the 90-point Wine Spectator rating alongside a production run of only 1,700 cases suggests strong value relative to similarly scored, limited-production Washington reds.

Why Tamarack Cabernet 2019?

The 2019 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Spectator, validating what the production approach suggests: this is a seriously made Cabernet from a winery that favors craft over volume. The 100% French oak aging regime — weighted heavily toward new barrels — gives the wine structural polish without overwhelming the fruit, while the cold-soak and hand-punch fermentation extract color and flavor with a gentler touch than mechanical processing allows. At just 1,700 cases, it rewards those willing to seek out smaller Washington producers working outside the industrial-scale model that dominates Columbia Valley output.