The 2018 Aviator is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The nose begins with a soft herbal note followed by dark red and black fruit tones sway with a kiss of brown baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the blend offers subtle notions of hot river rocks, baked earth and graphite along with tones of dusty plum, blackberry skin and fine-grained tannins. The wine ends with a balanced finish that lingers with black plum and bitter dark chocolate flavors. The wine rested for 20 months in 70% new French oak. Just under 6,000 bottles were made.

A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Aviator opens to a core of red and black fruit that seems a touch sticky and confected. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is a touch stewy and tannic and leaves me wanting more, and it ends with a straightforward finish. There were 2,076 bottles produced.

A workhorse styled, well-made and straightforward effort, the 2012 Yakima Valley Aviator (A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller components of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cab Franc and Malbec) dishes out plenty of blackcurrants, roasted meats, earth and hints of herbal notes to go with a medium-bodied, nicely textured personality on the palate. It will offer plenty of charm over the coming 4-5 years as well.

Crisp and generous, this is nicely fleshed out with bright currant and blackberry fruit, with sage and bay leaf notes on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Best from 2013 through 2017. 565 cases made.??–HS??Region: Washington / Yakima Valley Select to Add