Rich, balanced and creamy on the tongue...

Seven Hills Winery: 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon    
Columbia Valley          Cabernet Sauvignon       14.4% Alcohol

This is a wonderful Washington red wine to enjoy by itself or with a meal.  Seven Hills Winery is located in Eastern Washington's Walla Walla Valley.  The winery was founded in 1988 and is a mid-size producer.  The grapes for this wine come from Washington State's regions of Wahluke, Yakima, and Walla Walla.  This Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) wine is blended with Carmenere (9%) and Merlot (5%) for a more rounded final product.  The rest of the blend is complemented with 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.  Production for this vintage was limited to 1,315 cases.

Evaluation:
Sight - the wine is visually clear with a bright reflection, it has dark ruby red (towards purple) core fading to a youthful but broadening rim showing some appreciated age.  The strong defined legs are consistent with the 14%+ alcohol content.
Smell - on the nose the wine was clean and the predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon was evident.  It was initially a little tight or closed, but as it relaxed hints of herbs surfaced followed by beautiful notes of red fruit, cassis, vanilla, and oak to excite your senses.
Taste & Touch - the wine is medium-bodied on the palate and delivers the bright fruit from the nose, softening to more cooked fruit flavors rather than jammy characteristics.  The acid was nice (I would have preferred to have a dash more) and the tannins not to harsh, with a hint of spice.  The result was a nicely filled mid-palate and longer finish than expected, filled with dark fruit flavors.  Fermented dry, there is no residual sugar to get in the way.

Conclusions:
Don't let the medium-bodied palate of this wine keep you from enjoying it with heavier or rich meals.  This wine will hold its own and pair well with steaks and game.  It's softness and medium-body offers a little more versatility for pairing with appetizers and some roasted poultry.  Certainly it is ready to drink now, but you can hold it through to 2014.  I think now through 2012 will see the best characteristic presented in the wine.
Price: $24-$30 (retail)  $46-$68 (restaurant)

Other notes of interest:
Wine Spectator - 89 points