2003 Reininger, Cima, Walla Walla Valley
This is the third vintage of Chuck Reininger’s Cima that we have put in this club. He has dubbed this blend of 53% Sangiovese, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, a “SuperWallan” after the so-called SuperTuscan wines that inspired it. A patient and meticulous winemaker, Chuck never rushes release—this one has been aged for a full five years in barrel. Enjoy this versatile wine now, or give it a few years to develop even further. As far as we know, since only 175 cases were made, this wine has only been available through us or the Reininger wine club. It’s $46.50.

2007 Abeja, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
If you need a reminder of just how highly we regard Abeja wines, just look back through past club notes: we’ve featured their Cabernet in the Collector’s Club every spring for the past five years (since their third vintage). There’s no doubt the 2007 vintage is exceptional for elite Washington wines, and not surprisingly it shows in this rich and creamy Cab, possibly John Abbott’s best ever. The fruit sources are impeccable, including Abeja’s estate Heather Hill Vineyard, Wallula Vineyard, and old-vine Sagemoor fruit from some of Washington’s oldest vineyards, Bacchus, Dionysus, and Weinbau. The wine is still quite young; John says it will be at its best in three years, lasting a further ten or so. His suggested food pairing: pan-seared beef tenderloin and carrot puree. His 2007 Cab is the same price as last year—$43.75, and in surprisingly good supply.