At a glance

Producer

Dunham Cellars

Region

Columbia Valley AVA, Washington, USA

Grape variety

Merlot (52%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%), Petit Verdot (6%), Malbec

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

Approximately US$25–35 per 750 mL bottle, depending on availability and condition

Tasting profile

Likely ripe black cherry and plum with cassis, complemented by cedar, baking spice, and possibly dried-herb or earthy notes as it matures.

Evolution: Primary dark fruit should gradually give way to softer dried-fruit, tobacco, leather, and savory nuances; tannins should continue to mellow.

At peak: A supple, mature Columbia Valley blend with integrated oak and dark-fruit character, provided the bottle has been stored well.

Structure

Acidity

Medium, providing balance rather than a notably high-acid profile

Tannins

Moderate to firm, now likely becoming more integrated

Alcohol

Likely moderate to moderately high for a Washington red blend; exact vintage bottling ABV not confirmed

Aging potential

Good medium-term potential. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot contribute structure, while Merlot-led fruit suggests a more approachable profile than a highly tannic, Cabernet-dominant wine.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2029

Optimal window

2022 to 2032

Current status

Mature and drinking well; likely entering or within its peak with sound storage

Current condition

At about eight years from vintage, expect integrated fruit and oak, with bottle condition and storage history increasingly important.

The 2018 blend is led by Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec adding structure and depth. That composition supports several years of development, but it is not enough to justify assuming the very long aging horizon of top-tier, highly tannic Bordeaux. The estimated peak is therefore centered on the wine's current mature phase and remains conditional on storage.

Food pairing

Grilled or roasted beef, lamb, braised short ribs, mushroom dishes, or aged hard cheeses.

Serving

Serving temperature

16–18°C (61–64°F)

Decant

Yes (30–45 minutes) — A brief decant can open the wine and separate any sediment; taste first and avoid prolonged aeration if the fruit seems delicate.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Dunham Cellars is a Washington producer, but verified vintage-specific details about vineyard certifications, water conservation, winery energy use, and packaging are unavailable. Do not infer certification or particular practices without documentation.

A middle-of-scale score reflects the regional production context while acknowledging the lack of verified, wine-specific sustainability disclosures. The score is not evidence that the producer has no sustainability practices; it indicates that certifications, resource-use measures, and packaging details could not be established confidently.