Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Red 07
Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Red 07 - The balance between fruit and structure is well played out in this vintage. The classic and austere qualities that this vineyard has each year are well drawn out. As with most American wines, this wine projects more fruit in its youth than its European reflections. Over time we will see this difference shrink as the wines move (hopefully) into more complex incarnations of themselves. We would like to see this wine well stored for three or four years. As is almost always true with Andrew Will wines you can enjoy them now, but they will provide greater complexity over time. - the winery
15% Cab Sauv 45% Cab Franc 40% Merlot from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - average vine age, 21 years
Tanzer: Deep red. Reticent but pure aromas of blueberry, spices and dark chocolate. Juicy, spicy and intensely flavored if a bit imploded today; more vibrant than the Two Blondes. The fresh dark berry flavors and this young and serious wine's broad, fine, tooth-dusting tannins suggest that it will be superb with four or five years of cellaring. One of many terrific Bordeaux blends I tasted this year that downplays cabernet sauvignon in favor of cabernet franc and merlot. 92 points.
Previous Vintage Tasting Notes
2006 Vintage Tasting Notes
Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Red 06 - Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Red 06 was held back from its usual release date in the early fall. It is now showing the startling balance and beautiful austerity which are the hallmarks of the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. Every year, Chris Camarda receives perfectly ripe Merlot and Cabernet Franc from this warmer Cabernet site.
"This wine has an almost obsessive appeal. For me the difficulty in describing the qaualities in the wine is best overcome if the wine is seen as something magical and taken for that." - Winemaker Chris Camarda
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2005 Vintage Tasting Notes
Andrew Will Ciel Du Cheval 05 received 93 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2005 Ciel du Cheval is composed of 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc,14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. It offers up darker black fruit aromas and flavors with significantly more structure, grip, and power. It exhibits layers of spicy black fruits which should become increasingly opulent and glossy as it develops in the bottle. Give it a minimum of 5-7 years in the cellar and drink it through 2030."
Midnight purple in color, with initial aromas of fresh blackberries, tar, and earth, then evolving to black raspberries, mint, milk chocolate, and desert herbs. Powerful and concentrated black fruit-plum, currant, berry, cherry-that takes a bit of time to unwind, then opens to a full mid-palate of ripe fruit. Big Red Mountain structure that will allow the wine to develop for well over a decade. A classic vintage for Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval.
40% Merlot, 40 % Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot
From the winery: "This vineyard has again stood up to its reputation as one of the best in WA. The wines are very dark and the nose is raspberry, tar and a lingering scent of flowers and forest coupled with an almost palpable mineral quality. The early sophistication of the nose is upheld by the serene middle plate and enticing finish."
Previous Vintage tasting notesWine Advocate 94 points for 2003 and 2002 vintages.
