Avery is another Precept winery. Precept has a good handful of Washington wineries, including Pavin & Riley, Washington Hills, Bloom, Avery Lane, Barrelstone, Big Sky, Grizz, Sweet Pea, Sol Duc, Sockeye, Pine & Post and Shimmer. These are all budget wines, and, honestly, some aren't really even budget wines; they're just bad. Avery Lane as a label adorns wines sourced from Washington state's Columbia Valley appellation. I've previously tried the 2005 Avery Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, and wasn't impressed.

The 2007 Avery Lane Cabernet Sauvignon is a Washington-style Cabernet Sauvignon. It's fruit forward, right from the moment you open the cork. There's Blackberry on the nose, with hints of cherry. In the glass it's a dark crimson, but a little on the thin side. It's a little thin, even toned-down for a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, but that it is suitable late afternoon wine for casual sipping with cold summer sausage, crackers and cheese at a local park. This 2007 is better than the 2005, but I suspect that that's at least partly because it's a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Lemberger, and 13.5% ABV. Wine Enthusiast's Paul Gregutt earlier this month described it as "Fruity and spicy, with strawberry and cherry candy flavors. Very pleasing picnic wine," and gave it 86 points and a Best Buy rating. In June, Wine Press Northwest labeled the 2007 Avery Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Recommended, called it a Best buy, and noted that "The addition of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Lemberger help bring out components of purple blackberry, raspberry and pie cherries. It's built and priced for everyday enjoyment."

We picked it up at the BGO for $3.99. At that price, I'd consider buying more, but it doesn't compare to the Au Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, at the same price.

ETA: A second glass, approximately two hours after the bottle was first uncorked, was substantially different. The aroma openened up considerably, with cherry notes, and a hint of chocolate-coffee, a hint that was also evident in a much fuller-bodied taste.