Andrew Will Winery 2010 Ciel du Cheval, Red Mountain, $57
Ciel du Cheval is run by Jim Holmes, one of the pioneers of Red Mountain who began planting with Kiona’s John Williams in 1975. Winemaker Chris Camarda has been using these grapes for decades, and this is his finest wine from the challenging 2010 vintage. It’s a rare wine because it contains no Cabernet Sauvignon – Red Mountain’s signature grape. Instead, it’s a blend of nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It opens with aromas of fresh raspberry, President plum, allspice and white pepper, followed by elegant flavors of black olive, black currant, cocoa powder and blackberry. It’s backed by rich, juicy tannins and bang-on acidity, which give way to a lengthy and elegant finish.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 763 cases
Alcohol: 13.2%
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