Waters could be the discovery of the year from WA State for us here at The Wine Spies this year, as they keep coming out with one awesome wine after another. Cappella is not only the highest rated Bordeaux blend from Washington for the vintage and an Editors’ Choice with the Wine Enthusiast, but it’s also driven by our Operative favorite varietal, superstar Cabernet Franc and is flat out delicious for the little money this deal brings it down to!

Deep purple with shades of crimson highlighting the vivacity of this alluring red. Blueberries and marionberry lead the fruits that mingle with dried mushrooms on the expressive perfume. A big burst of silky tannins coat a red cherry and plum core once sipped, with spicy notes forming the back vocals. This wine is long and caressing, like a cappella piece soothing the soul to ethereal harmony. A fabulous accompaniment to fall dishes, slow-roasted meats, and root veggies.

A cappella as the musically minded know, is Italian for “in the manner of the chapel” and stands for group or solo voices singing only, without any instrumental accompaniment. This wine is aptly named as it saw zero new oak allowing for the intense purity of its parts, the pampered grapes that were sourced from some of the best vineyards of the state for the respective varieties. Owner and winemaker Jamie Brown first achieved success in the music business before finding his way to his next big passion, so his ‘compositions’ accent this theme. Brown and his Waters made it to Seattle Metropolitan Magazine’s 30 Most Exciting Wines of Washington State list just last year. Jeb Dunnuck also reported for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate as; “this top estate is a perennial source of high-quality wines” and Jay Miller before him declaring Waters as “one of Walla Walla’s finest new producers” with their inaugural releases.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

92 Points, Editors’ Choice – Wine Enthusiast - “This blend of 60% Cabernet Franc from The Rocks and 40% Merlot from Canoe Ridge Vineyard enchants with its complex medley of fresh ground herb, sliced green pepper, moist earth, mineral and cherry aromas. There’s dazzling texture and purity to its graceful fruit and savory flavors that carry deep into the finish. Delicious stuff.”