This 99-Point Corliss Cab Achieves with Perfection
We were pretty much done writing today's email with a 99-point review from Owen Bargreen when we discovered International Wine Report has scored this flagship Cabernet from Michael and Lauri Corliss even higher, awarding a perfect 100 points!
“This vintage is stunning in every single way possible”
- International Wine Report, January 2024
Potentially even more exciting is their second wine. Named "Secret Squirrel" it flies under the radar, yet it is made entirely from fruit grown on Michael and Lauri's estate. Offering seriously impressive body, power and character - and available for just over twenty bucks - it is a scorching opportunity.
Read on for the red-hot reviews on both of these Corliss wines, then click down lickety-split on the Big Yellow Button while supplies last!
2019 Secret Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley, Washington
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Behind the cheeky label is a wine of exceptional quality that defies its modest price. A true second wine, the fruit for Secret Squirrel is estate grown. What's not needed for the top Corliss Estate wine makes it into this impressive bottle, for a fraction of the price.
Combining the richness and concentration you expect of Corliss, with a bit more immediate accessibility, this blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot leads with an immediately captivating blast of blackcurrant, black cherry, mocha, and violet.
As it evolves in the glass, hints of dried fruit emerge along with notes of fresh herbs, bell pepper, and graphite. There is power and freshness here, and the wine screams to be paired with roasted meats or a big juicy steak. Check out what the critics have to say...
“Inky in the glass, the delicious 2019 Secret Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon is a seriously good wine at a tremendous price. Fig and toffee notes all combine with dark chocolate shavings and black rose petals on the nose. The palate is plush and well-structured with great elegance and a graphite edge."
- 93 Points, Owen Bargreen (5/2026)
"The 2019 Secret Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, offers a rugged, savory expression that highlights the more traditional, non-fruit-driven dimensions of the variety. A deep garnet core gives way to an aromatic profile defined by red clay, cedary herbs, tobacco leaf, and a selection of dried garden herbs. On the palate, this medium-bodied red offers a robust, textured profile, with brambly marionberry and black currant underscored by a persistent mineral earthiness. Best Buy. Drink 2026-2030."
- 92 Points, International Wine Report (3/2026)
"One of the unique assets of this value brand is access to well-aged wines built from components originally destined for pricier brands. Given its age this Bordeaux blend, three quarters Cabernet with Cab Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot filling it out, is remarkably fresh. It’s packed with deep, dark, dense black fruits highlighted with barrel flavors of toast, earth, licorice and espresso. They darken the finish, which rides on grainy tannins down a long gently fading trail."
- 93 Points, Paul Gregutt (5/21/2026)
It is simply fantastic to get an estate grown Cabernet of this caliber for such a low price. $28 median online retail. Our price makes the deal even better!
Vin Chicago Price: 23.99
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2019 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley, Washington
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Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a big wine, with impeccable balance. The exceptional intensity and character of the dark fruit shines through the on the well structured palate, with notes of earth, graphite and pencil shavings pointing towards the Bordeaux influence that is so evident in the Corliss style. Most importantly, this is simply one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons to come in front of our tasting team this year!
"The 2019 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon by Corliss is always a wine I look forward to tasting year after year and this vintage is stunning in every single way possible. 100% Cabernet fruit from Red Mountain gives up a healthy brooding purple-ruby core with a lighter purple rim as well as a more rounded, definitive, and incredibly alluring profile that carries flavors and aromas of black currants, boysenberries, cedarwood, wildflowers, toasted spice, pencil shavings, and wet earth. Full-bodied, rich, supple, and straight-up perfect on the palate, it sports plush tannins, no hard edges, and a scrumptious finish. Enjoy this one now with a heavy decant or over the next two decades. Bravo! Drink 2024-2044."
- 100 Points, International Wine Report (1/2024)
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is all varietal and comes from the Red Mountain AVA. This vivid purple beauty boasts a killer bouquet of cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and earth. More vibrant, fresh, and lively than previous vintages, it still has terrific concentration, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's one of the finest vintages of this cuvée that I can remember. It's brilliant today yet should evolve for 20 years or more."
- 98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (6/14/2023)
“The gorgeous and heady 2019 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in nearly all new French oak before bottling. The nose is aromatically intense and downright gorgeous with sandalwood notes alongside anise, creme de cassis, Turkish coffee and shades of graphite. The palate is seamless and intense with serious texture, verve and flavor density. Weightless throughout the drinking experience, this effortlessly glides through the mid-palate. Showing glorious length, this is really only an infant now at the five year mark. Cellar this beauty for another twenty five years. Drink 2026-2050."
- 99 Points, Owen Bargreen (6/17/2024)
This is SERIOUS Cabernet. Drink a bottle now with a good decanting and lay a few more down to enjoy over the coming 10 to 20 years!
Vin Chicago Price: 109.99
