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Côtes de Ciel 2016 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Counoise, Red Mountain, $33

February 27, 2022 by Great Northwest Wine Leave a Comment

Red Mountain pioneer Jim Holmes reached into California’s famed Tablas Creek for the Counoise that he established in 2000 among his 35 blocks at Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, and historic producers such as Ron Coleman (Tamarack Cellars) and Doug McCrea soon began bottling it on its own rather than as a blender as they do in the Rhône Valley. In recent years, Holmes Family Winery began holding onto some of those grape, resulting in this five-barrel lot. Aromas of fig, dried black cherry and white pepper are joined by cherry tomato. On the palate, it’s bright with Montmorency cherry, cola and dried strawberry, offering a nice bit of grip to pair with lean meats such as flank steak or a New York strip.

Rating: Excellent – 91 points

Production: 124 cases

Alcohol 14.8%

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Filed Under: Latest wine reviews, Washington

About Great Northwest Wine

Articles credited to Great Northwest Wine are authored by Eric Degerman and other contributors. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

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