2009 Andrew Will Red Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
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Tasting notes
In the same ballpark qualitatively, the 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, made from 40% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, delivers classic Red Mountain aromas and flavors with plenty of tar, licorice, baked earth, toasted spice and hints of chocolate all emerging from the glass. More full-bodied and rich than the 2010, with great back-end structure, it will deliver the goods for over a decade. Drink now-2021. Made by Chris Camarda from his base on Vashon Island just west of Seattle, Andrew Will Cellars delivers classic, elegant wines that show solid typicity and age-worthy profiles. His 2010s are superb across the board and possess slightly reserved aromatics with firm, pure textures. Downright backwards, especially when compared to his 2009s, they will all benefit from short- term cellaring and, I suspect, these scores will seem a bit low once they flesh out. His 2011s had just been bottled at the time of this tasting, so I opted to review them as barrel samples and give ranges for the scores. They all showed more up-front, perfumed and supple profiles, yet I think they will close down slightly over the coming year as they settle in bottle. Chris believes his 2011s might surpass his 2010s. Tel. (206) 463-9227; www.andrewwill.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(40% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon and 25% cabernet franc): Bright ruby-red. Slightly roasted, diffuse nose offers dark plum and earthy low tones. Sweet and broad in the mouth, offering a bit more precision than the nose suggests. Spicy redcurrant and plum flavors build toward the back, where they are joined by substantial tannins. Plenty of stuffing here but not at the level of this producer's other 2009s. (My second bottle of this wine was distinctly porty on the nose and a bit gritty on the palate, and my third sample was too advanced to recommend.)