A Note From Mike -
I don't believe in bragging. I like humility. But for more than 32 years I have worked to grow grapes that make quality wine, and I'd like to share a little of that story with you.
My first slogan was "Creating grapes with enhanced flavor." Early in my grape-growing years, I was blessed to grow for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. They gave us talented field men like Mike Means, who helped us in the vineyard, and winemakers like Doug Gore, Ray Einberger (who came to Columbia Crest from Opus One), Marcus Notaro (now head winemaker at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa) and Juan Muñoz-Oca (now with Antinori Napa Valley). Every one of them helped us gain the knowledge that has made us successful. Other early mentors who meant a great deal to me were my brother Robert Andrews, Albert Don, and Gino Cuneo, who taught me about growing Italian grape varieties.
Back in those early days, the late '90s and early 2000s, you would find "MA" for Mike Andrews on almost every tank in the Columbia Crest cellar. Crest was known as a large winery with small-lot ideals, and our grapes were in many of their reserve wines and in the base of most of their wines.
Why? Consistency. Coyote Canyon grapes could be counted on for quality year after year. Our climate, our soil, our natural well water, and good air drainage that gives us more frost-free days in both spring and fall all help ripen premium grapes. We have been part of more than 290 wines scoring 90 points or better in major publications, including two Columbia Crest Syrahs that Wine Spectator ranked No. 31 and No. 61 on its Top 100 lists, and we were a major contributor to the Columbia Crest 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which Wine Spectator named the No. 1 wine in the world for 2009.
It's exciting to look back on that history, but I'm even more excited to share Coyote Canyon Winery's own story. We have bottled our H/H Estate Big John Cabernet Sauvignon every vintage from 2007 through 2025, 19 vintages in all. In August 2025, Anthony Mueller, former Wine Advocate critic and a sommelier, tasted through our 2007 to 2022 vintages. All but our first two scored 90 points or higher. (Wine Advocate had already given the 2008 a 90-point score back in 2010.)
We have an extensive library. I like to keep 4 to 6 cases of each vintage, though some are already down to just a few bottles. I'll hold back 6 to 12 bottles of each for our own library and release the rest to you. Every one of these wines will be listed on our website and available in the tasting room and online for $100 a bottle, or $80 for wine club members.
Here are Anthony's notes from that tasting.
Cheers,
Mike Andrews
Coyote Canyon Winery
Tasting Notes by Anthony Mueller, August 2025
Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - Not Available
Showing hints of volatility, the 2007 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon maintains an elegant oak core, dark cherry notes, and freshness. It is a pure expression.
Score: 89 | Drink: 2012–2028
Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - Limited Quantities
Offering herbal notes and hints of cherry, the 2008 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon is slightly volatile.
Score: 89 | Drink: 2011–2027
Coyote Canyon Winery 2009 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - Not Available
Showcasing a bigger frame with soft tannins, the 2009 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon is meaty with hints of oxidation. The wine is gently volatile and has an earthy nose, ending with a smooth, musty, and tertiary finish.
Score: 91 | Drink: 2012–2028
Coyote Canyon Winery 2010 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - 120 Bottles Available
More red-fruited with succulent acidity, the 2010 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon is fresh and offers a spicy, cherry-driven, bright, and lip-smacking finish.
Score: 91 | Drink: 2014–2027
Coyote Canyon Winery 2011 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - 94 Bottles Available
Delightfully gorgeous and firm, the 2011 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon is mineral-driven, rich, and elegant. It boasts a long, spicy finish. Beautiful now, it likely would have been hard as nails when it was released. Nicely done.
Score: 92 | Drink: 2015–2030
Coyote Canyon Winery 2012 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - 120 Bottles Available
Bigger, broader-shouldered, and with a firm, viscous structure, the 2012 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon has a fresh and fleshy core that breaks from the nose. Bold and juicy, it has a generous center and a gooey finish.
Score: 91 | Drink: 2015–2028
Coyote Canyon Winery 2013 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - 88 Bottles Available
With a kiss of volatility and sweet, tertiary notes, the 2013 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon has a fantastic structure and ripe attack. Likely just coming out of its cocoon phase, it shows lively action with rich, mature, generous, and attractive fruit with extract. The sweet fruit, oak integration, tannins, and acidity are all in check. Delightful, expressive, fresh, and ready to drink, but will age for years to come! Nicely done!
Score: 92 | Drink: 2016–2036
Coyote Canyon Winery 2014 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - Limited Quantities
Excellent, red, and black-fruited, the 2014 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon is fresh, pure, clean, and correct. It is still going strong and will age for years to come.
Score: 92+ | Drink: 2018–2035
Coyote Canyon Winery 2015 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon – 46 Bottles Available
Wine Club Spr 2019
A little blown out and oxidized with heat, the 2015 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon features tannins that are still hot and gripping, but the fruit expression is on its way out. Drink up.
Score: 90 | Drink: 2018–2030
Coyote Canyon Winery 2016 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon – 79 Bottles Available
WC Spr 2020
Still fresh and clean, the 2016 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon is ripe, succulent, delicious, and currently at fighting weight. Pure and complex, it will go for more years.
Score: 92+ | Drink: 2020–2038
Coyote Canyon Winery 2017 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon – 60 Bottles Available
WC Fa 2021
With a kiss of pyrazines and herbal notes, the 2017 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon reveals oak extract, vanilla, and a sappy core. Still very fresh, rich, and complex, it has a round, mouthwatering mouthfeel that will remain delightful for years to come. Nicely done.
Score: 93 | Drink: 2022–2044
Coyote Canyon Winery 2018 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon – 58 Bottles Available
WC Spr 2022
Still fresh, complex, and plummy with black cherry, the 2018 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon offers notes of bitter dark chocolate that are savory, earthy, and succulent. It is rich, ripe, and spicy.
Score: 92 | Drink: 2023–2042
Coyote Canyon Winery 2019 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - Limited Quantities
Offering sage brush, spicy lavender, and meaty notes, the 2019 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon features black raspberry, dark cherry, spiced plum compote, and fresh layers. Juicy, succulent, and vibrant, it is very complex. Nicely done!
Score: 92+ | Drink: 2025–2045
Coyote Canyon Winery 2020 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - Limited Quantities
WC Spr 2024
Big, juicy, fresh, and layered, the 2020 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon is softly smoky, complex, and offers hints of coffee. It features spicy lavender and dusty dark red berry. The wine is clean, pure, and subtly sweet with fine mineral tension. Give it time.
Score: 92 | Drink: 2026–2045
Coyote Canyon Winery 2021 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon - Limited Quantities
WC Spr 2026
Instantly pleasing and bright, the 2021 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon showcases succulent freshness. Medium to full-bodied, the wine has plenty of baby fat to shed but has good bones. It is quite spicy with a long, lingering finish that will remain food-friendly.
Score: 93 | Drink: 2028–2047
Coyote Canyon Winery 2022 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon
WC Spr 2027
Featuring spiced plum and dusty graphite, the 2022 Big John Cabernet Sauvignon is slightly more austere now, but will grow. The wine is still tannic and will benefit from additional time.
Score: 92+ | Drink: 2029–2050
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