$22.99 at Crush Wine & Spirits in Bryant, Arkansas (AR)
92 points – James Suckling
80% Cabernet Sauvignon / 20% Zinfandel. Fermented on stems that gives a coffee note to the wine and adds texture. Aged in lightly toasted large Hungarian oak barrels.
Flavors of cherry, red currant, plums, blueberries, spice, and pepper with mineral and coffee notes. Medium to full bodied but elegant with noticeable tannins. Long finish.
Borne of Fire is a label created by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2018. The grapes are sourced from a vineyard called Chapman Creek in a remote new vineyard region in eastern Washington known by locals as “The Burn.” It is located in south central Washington between the Columbia Gorge and the Horse Heaven Hills AVAs on the banks of the Columbia River. The area got its name from stories about early settlers who set the land on fire each year to restore the grasslands for their horses. The area’s rugged terroir is able to create a unique expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. Because of its extreme climate compared to the rest of Columbia Valley’s wine regions, the area produces Cabernet Sauvignon with more red fruit concentration.
This wine has an AVA designation as Columbia Valley, but The Burn was officially submitted for consideration as a new AVA in 2017 and was accepted as perfected by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) later that year. It is currently pending final rulemaking. Borne of Fire is the only wine on the market from The Burn.
The winemaker is Juan Muñoz-Oca. He was born and raised in Mendoza, Argentina. At a young age, he learned the skills for winemaking from his grandfather who was the cellar master at Bodega Toso winery. In 2001, he interned with Ste. Michelle Wines Estates and in 2003, he began working at Columbia Crest. He is also known for producing the Intrinsic line of wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle. In 2012, he and his team at Ste. Michelle began investigating the potential of The Burn region.