"Gaye and I are dedicated to showcasing the finest vineyard sites in Washington State. We feel this is best accomplished by blending individual lots of wines made from the varietals grown on the vineyard site. Blending allows us to create a balanced wine of greater character than the individual components. Our wines express the power, intensity or elegance of the vineyard only as those qualities are already present in the vineyard. In this way our Bordeaux-styled blends become our interpretation of the best qualities reflected in Washington’s greatest vineyard terroir." - Ben Smith, winemaker

Wine Advocate 93 points!

"The 2007 Bel Canto Cara Mia Vineyard is a blend of 62% Cabernet Franc, 31% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot with the same barrel regime as the Camerata. Dark ruby-colored with an expressive nose of balsam wood, olives, sage, cinnamon, espresso, cassis, and black currant, on the palate this medium to full-bodied wine has lots of spice, savory flavors, good depth and volume, and a sense of elegance. Give it 4-6 years and enjoy it from 2014 to 2027."

From the winery -

This, of all our 2007s, takes the most time to open up in the glass or decanter. Initially reticent, Bel Canto blossoms into a perfumed potpourri of baking spice, black fruit and intense minerality. It has the roundest mouthfeel and softest tannins of all the 2007s, though the tannins have a sneaky length, fine grain and expanding quality through the finish that bodes well for aging.

I believe this is our finest Bel Canto to date; a wine that will reward patience and time in your cellar. - the winery

62% Cab Franc, 31% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot Red Mountain

Previous Vintage Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes - 2006 Vintage

Cadence Bel Canto Cara Mia Vineyard Red Mountain 06 received 91 points from Wine Spectator: "Velvety, focused and lively, with rose petal-accented cherry and raspberry flavors, finishing with a silky feel and real generosity. Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2013. -H.S."

52% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot. Structurally, this wine feels as if it is built on bedrock. It is powerful, deep, intense and brooding. It only hints at the layers of complexity folded into its framework. There are fresh forest pine/menthol, blue fruit and baking spice aromas. Lively acidity gives the palate a harmonious balance, and the tannins go on and on. - the winery

4-1-09 - Jon Bonne, in the San Francisco Chronicle, reviews the 2006 Cadence Bel Canto Cara Mia Vineyard Red Mountain Red Wine: "From Cadence's estate vineyard in eastern Washington, this is Ben Smith's Cheval Blanc homage, with 52 percent Cabernet Franc and 48 Merlot. Generous, with an almost romantic nose - dry loam, black tea, chamomile, bright huckleberry. Very plush with sweet primary fruit. Fine-grained tannins make for a nuanced structure." - Jon Bonne

Tasting Notes - 2005 Vintage

Cadence Bel Canto 05 received 94 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said "Cadence’s version of the legendary Cheval Blanc is the 2005 Bel Canto, a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 42% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot, a selection of the best barrels of these grape varieties in the cellar. Saturated crimson in color, it presents an expressive bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, espresso roast, black cherry, and plum. This is followed by a wine with superb grip, a smooth palate-feel, layers of ripe fruit, and a 45-second finish. Give it 5-7 years of further bottle age and drink it through 2030. "

The nose is savory in spades with chocolate, tobacco, berries and spice. The aromas echo on the palate, with a breadth and volume to the mouthfeel that cannot come from anything but Cabernet Franc. The flavors build on the back half to a finish of finesse, length, power and precision. 50% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot

2004 Vintage: Wine Spectator rating 93 points: "This seductive wine has real backbone to carry it through. Rich and velvety, it bursts with blueberry, plum, cherry and exotic spice aromas and flavors. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2007 through 2013.-H.S."

From the winery: "Menthol, fruit, tobacco and spice wonderfully express the varietal blend. The palate shows blue and black fruit, anise, and complexity as a seamless whole. The finish builds in length, culminating with the finest tannins we've tasted in our wines. Bel Canto should also be decanted to be enjoyed currently. 50% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot."