Mission Codename Galloping glory
“Napa tends to garner all the attention where US Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends are concerned, but to my mind, Chris Camarda of Andrew Will in Washington State is making some of the finest to be found in all of North America.” – William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Look, we LOVE our Napa Cabs and primetime Bordeaux. Love ‘em! But we have to agree with Mr. Kelley, and also side with Jeb Dunnuck when he says Andrew Will makes “incredible wine that will stand toe to toe with Bordeaux 3-4+ times the price.”
And this stuff right here? PRIMETIME example.
Now factor in today’s 42% discount and Jeb’s math formula works out to something like 5-6x the price! Sorry Margaux - we can’t see you through all the stacks of cash we’re saving.
Ciel du Cheval is located smack dab in the middle of the Red Mountain AVA, an area churning out some incredible Cabernet and other Bordeaux varietals. Top producers from the state flock there to snag grapes. Andrew Will sits right at the very top alongside other cult wineries who bottle this fruit such as Quilceda Creek or Force Majeure.
Bright ruby-red with the slimmest crimson glow on the rim. Pure aromas of blackberry, plum, licorice, violets, mint, and exotic spices from new oak adorn the nose. Suave on entry, lush in the middle with blueberry, black pepper, and cocoa powder, it finishes very long and smooth, with sweet tannins and hints of roasted nuts, and vanilla. Enjoy with Jamaican oxtail stew, or veal ossobuco over risotto alla Milanese.
Wine Advocate rightfully raves that these are “some of the most impressive, balanced, and age-worthy wines coming out of Washington State.” While Dunnuck adds that you “can’t go wrong here and these wines continue to fly too far under the radar. Give these a try!”
Maybe you already did because you snagged some of the Esploso we offered last year, or the equally venerable Champoux we featured recently. If so, you already know what’s up.
95+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2015 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard offers up notions of sweet red and black berries, licorice, orange rind and cigar tobacco. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, with a deep core of fruit, firm but fine-grained structuring tannins and a long, rich finish…displays impressive stuffing and should evolve beautifully in the cellar. Drink 2022-2038.”
Tasting Profile
Tasting Profile
Look | Bright ruby-red with the slimmest crimson glow on the rim. |
---|---|
Smell | Pure aromas of blackberry, plum, licorice, violets, mint, and exotic spices from new oak |
Taste | Suave on entry, lush in the middle with blueberry, black pepper, and cocoa powder |
Finish | Finishes very long and smooth, with sweet tannins and hints of roasted nuts, and vanilla |
Pairing | Enjoy with Jamaican oxtail stew or veal ossobuco over risotto alla Milanese |
What the Winery Says
2015 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain Red
- Winemaker
- Will Camarda
- Vintage
- 2015
- Varietals
- 63% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc
- Appellation
- Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Washington
- Vineyard
- Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
- Soils
- Fine loamy sand, slightly alkaline
- Average vine age
- 28 years
- Altitude
- 600-700 feet
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Bottling date
- April 2017
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 30% new French oak