Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain 05
$28.80 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)
Price: $32.00
Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain 05:
92 Points Wine Spectator! "Deftly balances its pretty raspberry and red plum flavors, with hints of smoke and cedar - but only hints - and just enough tannins and acidity to keep this fresh and lively. Impressive for its elegance and length, without apparent weight. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2009 through 2017. 400 cases made. H.S."
Previous vintage tasting notes: Wine Spectator 91 points. A June Avalon Northwest Big Reds Wine Club Selection.
A hand- picked blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot from the renowned Ciel du Cheval. Harvested under ideal conditions, from a moderately warm vintage.
The most evenly blended of the winery's releases to date, with Cabernet, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc contributing about equally to the blend, while including a higher percentage of Verdot. Shows soft red plum, pie cherry, rhubarb, and pungent, sweet spices in the nose. The palate is of red fruit over moderate structure, a little tight, but with subdued tannins. 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petit Verdot.
Bottled in April 2006, after 18 months cellared in the finest French barrels. At its release its structure indicates favorable medium-term aging qualities. This wine will open up over the next six to twelve months. Cellar for up to 4-6 years from the vintage.
Not currently available to order.
May be out of stock or sold out. Inquire at 541-752-7418 or store@avalonwine.com
Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
Previous Vintager Notes
Wine Spectator, June 15, 2003
Ripe and generous, nicely balanced to keep everything crisp, offering plenty of plum and currant flavors, which echo nicely on the fine-grained finish. Drink now through 2006. Score: 90
Wine & Spirits, June 2003
Firm, tense and grounded. Yet, even so, it's hard not to compare this young wine's aromas and flavors to a dark, chewy, chocolate cake - the burnt edges and cocoa tannins, the dark raspberry filling inside. Let the fruit evolve for a few years, let it eat some of the tannin and it should take on a more complex expression. Score: 90
Created from a blend of DuBrul (Yakima Valley) and Seven Hills Vineyard "Old Block" (Walla Walla Valley) fruit. Each vineyard supplied 50% of the blend, making the appellation Columbia Valley. It is nearly 100% Merlot, with only a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc in the cuvee. The fruit was handpicked, crushed and fermented on the skins for 7-10 days. Aging was completed in French oak for 18 months and bottle-aged in our cellar for 10 months prior to release.
This is a polished, elegant Merlot with exquisite fruit intensity. Ripe berry flavors and aromas are complemented by warm spice and vanilla notes. The palate is balanced, generous and lengthy. This very fine Merlot from two of the best vineyard sites in the Northwest expect a solid five to eight year life in the cellar.
Reserve designated wines at Seven Hills are rare. Since our winery's first vintage in 1988 we have designated three reserve Merlots. 400 cases produced, packaged in lay-down six count boxes.
