The 2018 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers up a dark frame of fruit with a spicy undercurrent, hints of graphite and pencil shavings and a delightfully rocky essence. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is complex, expressing flavors of juicy tobacco, blackberry skin and gripping tannins, concluding with a ripe, firm finish.

With aromas of dusty blackberry and a soft herbal edge, the 2016 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wafts out of the glass with elements of purple flowers and oven-roasted red pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is clean and correct, with a straightforward expression and quick finish. 6,359 cases produced. Drink now and in the next few years.

Readers looking for a high quality Cabernet that won’t break the bank should check on the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from Novelty Hill. Incorporating 5% Merlot and 2% Malbec, aged 21 months in 44% new oak, it offers beautiful notes of cassis, black raspberries, licorice, sweet oak and hints of spice in a medium-bodied, charming, pure and hard to resist style. It drops offer a touch on the finish, but it’s a terrific wine to drink over the coming 7-8 years.

Incorporating 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, the 2012 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is another terrific wine from this estate that shows the house style with its plump, soft, fruit-forward personality. Giving up lots of currants, licorice, dried herbs and tobacco leaf, I suspect this is best consumed over the coming 4-5 years, but wouldn’t be surprised to see it hold nicely for longer.

Made in a similar style, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is pure, fresh and focused, with solid black currant, graphite and hints of herbaceous to go with a nicely concentrated, supple and easy-drinking profile on the palate. It too should be consumed over the coming 3-5 years, although it may evolve for longer. These forward, up-front and delicious efforts are made by Mike Januik and in almost all instances, they represent solid values. Tel. (425) 481-5502; www.noveltyhillwines.com