N x NW Cabernet Sauvignon

Description

N x NW Cabernet Sauvignon is a Columbia Valley red wine blending fruit from Oregon and Washington vineyards, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2013 vintage earned a Platinum Award at the 2016 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, and critic scores have reached 91 points establishing this label as a serious Pacific Northwest Cabernet.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5% | Origin: Columbia Valley, Oregon & Washington | 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot | Producer: King Estate

Production & Heritage

King Estate, the acclaimed Oregon winery best known for its Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, created the N x NW project to explore varietals thriving in the broader Columbia River Basin a region straddling the Oregon-Washington border. The Cabernet Sauvignon draws from notable vineyard sites including Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills East, Seven Hills West, and Elephant Mountain, all considered among the Columbia Valley’s most respected blocks. Winemaking involves cold soaking, punch downs, pump overs, and extended maceration to maximize extraction, followed by 18 months of aging in French and American oak barrels, 35% of which are new.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Just-ripe blackberry and cassis dominate the nose, joined by secondary layers of tobacco leaf and leather. Sweet smoke, vanilla, and dried leaves emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is fleshy and fruit-forward, with plum and cassis anchoring the mid-palate. Structural depth arrives through ground coffee, clove, and anise, while dark chocolate and toasted almond round out the peak. Well-integrated tannins and balanced acidity keep everything in proportion.

Finish: The finish stretches long, carrying blackberry and coffee through a pleasantly textured fade. Lingering toasted oak and a whisper of eucalyptus close out each sip.

How to Drink N x NW Cabernet

This wine shows best at cellar temperature around 6065F, poured into a large-bowled glass that lets the aromas concentrate. Decanting for 30 minutes softens the tannins and opens up the secondary tobacco and spice notes.

• Classic Cabernet Pairing (Neat): The structured tannins and dark fruit make it a natural partner for a grilled ribeye or lamb chops.
• Red Wine Sangria: The bold cassis and plum character holds up against citrus and brandy additions without losing identity.
• Mulled Wine: Clove and anise notes already present in the wine complement traditional mulling spices seamlessly.

Best For

• Serving alongside a grilled steak dinner with friends
• Gifting to a fan of bold Pacific Northwest reds
• Building a Columbia Valley vertical collection across vintages
• Bringing to a wine club tasting focused on Cabernet Sauvignon regionality

Frequently Asked Questions

What does N x NW Cabernet taste like? N x NW Cabernet Sauvignon delivers ripe blackberry and cassis flavors supported by ground coffee, dark chocolate, and anise, with a fleshy mouthfeel framed by well-integrated tannins and balanced acidity.

How does N x NW Cabernet compare to Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Cabernet? Both source from Columbia Valley vineyards, but N x NW blends fruit from specific prestige blocks like Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills, aged 18 months in 35% new French and American oak. Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Columbia Valley bottling is typically a larger-production wine at a lower price point, while N x NW leans toward a more concentrated, site-driven style.

Is N x NW Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes the layered aromatics of tobacco, leather, and dark fruit reward slow, attentive drinking, especially after a brief decant to let the tannins integrate further.

Where is N x NW Cabernet made? N x NW is produced by King Estate, headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, using Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sourced from the Columbia River Basin, which spans both Oregon and Washington state.

What foods pair well with N x NW Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak matches the wine’s bold tannins and dark fruit. Braised lamb shanks echo its clove and anise spice. Aged cheddar or Gruyre complement the toasted oak character. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine’s cocoa undertones. Smoked brisket stands up to the wine’s intensity and coffee-like depth.

What sizes does N x NW Cabernet come in? N x NW Cabernet Sauvignon is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is N x NW Cabernet worth the price? N x NW positions as a mid-premium Columbia Valley Cabernet that punches above its weight, sourcing from vineyard blocks Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills that supply far more expensive single-vineyard bottlings, making it a strong value within its tier.

Why N x NW Cabernet?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of Columbia Valley Cabernets is its sourcing strategy: King Estate pulls from individually selected blocks at Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills, and Elephant Mountain vineyards whose names appear on bottles costing significantly more. The Platinum Award at the Critics Challenge International Wine Competition and a 91-point critic score for the 2013 vintage confirm the quality behind that approach. Extended maceration and 18 months in a thoughtful mix of new and seasoned French and American oak give the wine structural seriousness without overwhelming the fruit. For drinkers interested in how world-class Pacific Northwest terroir translates into Cabernet Sauvignon, this bottle makes a compelling case.