Andrew Will
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Franc - Merlot Blend
Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Bright tart fruit still going strong. Slightly unbalanced - feels like too much acid was added - overly tart for Red Mtn. That said, this is a beautiful wine, especially with red meat. Drinking great now and has many years left.
Bright tart fruit still going strong. Slightly unbalanced - feels like too much acid was added - overly tart for Red Mtn. That said, this is a beautiful wine, especially with red meat. Drinking great now and has many years left.
Apr 30th, 2023
Needs more time in the bottle or maybe 24 hour decant. Very linear. Great blend. Enjoyed!
Needs more time in the bottle or maybe 24 hour decant. Very linear. Great blend. Enjoyed!
Sep 4th, 2022
Last night with friends our second wine was another beautiful Bordeaux Blend a Right Bank Blend this time also from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. The 2010 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Red Blend 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc. Andrew Will from Vashon Island, Washington is one of my favorite producers. Chris Camarda since 1989 has blended wine and his wine he says "I am not interested in the similarities of my winesbut the differences. The different identities of our vineyards and varietals which explore the identity of Washington State as distinct as California or Bordeaux." I think he does this very well.
On the nose I got black cherry, red raspberry, cassis, fresh herbs, violets and fresh earthy soil.
On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, licorice, green bell pepper, iron and rich tolled soil.
The wine is medium to full bodied with medium + acidity, medium + soft velvety tannins that lead to a long excellent complex finish. Have a great coming week, be safe and continued well wishes. Nostrovia!🍷🍷🍷🍷
Last night with friends our second wine was another beautiful Bordeaux Blend a Right Bank Blend this time also from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. The 2010 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Red Blend 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc. Andrew Will from Vashon Island, Washington is one of my favorite producers. Chris Camarda since 1989 has blended wine and his wine he says "I am not interested in the similarities of my winesbut the differences. The different identities of our vineyards and varietals which explore the identity of Washington State as distinct as California or Bordeaux." I think he does this very well.
On the nose I got black cherry, red raspberry, cassis, fresh herbs, violets and fresh earthy soil.
On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, licorice, green bell pepper, iron and rich tolled soil.
The wine is medium to full bodied with medium + acidity, medium + soft velvety tannins that lead to a long excellent complex finish. Have a great coming week, be safe and continued well wishes. Nostrovia!🍷🍷🍷🍷
Great balance and character, a beautiful creation from a blending varietal.
Great balance and character, a beautiful creation from a blending varietal.
Aug 31st, 2017
Nose jumps out right away. Black cherry & floral notes. Full bodied right bank blend. Delicious red fruit with some darker tones lingering. Powerful with precision & concentration. A touch of mocha on the finish. Cab Franc from this vineyard is magical.
52% Merlot 48% Cabernet Franc
Nose jumps out right away. Black cherry & floral notes. Full bodied right bank blend. Delicious red fruit with some darker tones lingering. Powerful with precision & concentration. A touch of mocha on the finish. Cab Franc from this vineyard is magical.
52% Merlot 48% Cabernet Franc
Strong earthy nose of oak bark and loam. Black cherry, blackberry and currant reduction, cinnamon sticks and clove inform the nose. Plums of red and black just underripe, tart cherry, dried raspberry, tarragon, rosemary, dried violets and graphite shimmers. Young and juicy, much more to give! .
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#andrewwill #washingtonwine #cielducheval #singlevineyard #redmountain #wawinr #cabfranc #merlot #redblend
Strong earthy nose of oak bark and loam. Black cherry, blackberry and currant reduction, cinnamon sticks and clove inform the nose. Plums of red and black just underripe, tart cherry, dried raspberry, tarragon, rosemary, dried violets and graphite shimmers. Young and juicy, much more to give! .
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#andrewwill #washingtonwine #cielducheval #singlevineyard #redmountain #wawinr #cabfranc #merlot #redblend
I often struggle with the wines from Washington State. Too often, I find them to come across as big, over the top fruit bombs with many unsuitable for long-term aging. However, there are some exceptions and the wines of Andrew Will are one of those exceptions. This Ciel du Cheval bottling has been cellared away since release and happens to be the last in an original purchase of 6. Ciel du Cheval was originally planted in 1975 and now comprises of over 100 acres of vines with an average age over 36 years. I’ve long admired the quality that comes from this vineyard. The 2008 version of this wine was nearly equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with just the touch more Merlot than the other two. From the start, this was buzzing with dark fruits, sweet tobacco, baking spices and leather. The texture is so ever so velvety soft. The tannins are super fine and we’ll integrated at this point. A wine of impeccable balance that has delivered the goods for several years now and I suspect, will continue to do so for many years to come. That being said, I am happy to have consumed my last bottle at this stage in its evolution. It’s clearly firing on all cylinders now.
I often struggle with the wines from Washington State. Too often, I find them to come across as big, over the top fruit bombs with many unsuitable for long-term aging. However, there are some exceptions and the wines of Andrew Will are one of those exceptions. This Ciel du Cheval bottling has been cellared away since release and happens to be the last in an original purchase of 6. Ciel du Cheval was originally planted in 1975 and now comprises of over 100 acres of vines with an average age over 36 years. I’ve long admired the quality that comes from this vineyard. The 2008 version of this wine was nearly equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with just the touch more Merlot than the other two. From the start, this was buzzing with dark fruits, sweet tobacco, baking spices and leather. The texture is so ever so velvety soft. The tannins are super fine and we’ll integrated at this point. A wine of impeccable balance that has delivered the goods for several years now and I suspect, will continue to do so for many years to come. That being said, I am happy to have consumed my last bottle at this stage in its evolution. It’s clearly firing on all cylinders now.
1 person found it helpfulApr 6th, 2020
Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com
Gamey on the nose and slightly overripe or very very ripe fruit. Not my vibe. It’s good. Don’t get me wrong, but overpriced. #washingtoncab #washington #washingtonwine #cabfranc #merlot
Gamey on the nose and slightly overripe or very very ripe fruit. Not my vibe. It’s good. Don’t get me wrong, but overpriced. #washingtoncab #washington #washingtonwine #cabfranc #merlot
1 person found it helpfulFeb 8th, 2020This was from last Friday night at a gathering of friends we opened the 2010 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Vinyard Red Wine. A Bordeaux Blend of 52%Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc.
On the nose was black cherry, raspberry, cassis, chocolate, violets, graphite and dusty soil.
On the palate was good dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, licorice, bell pepper, spice, mocha, minerality and earthiness.
This wine is medium to full bodied with mediu + acidity and medium fine tannins that lead to a long dusty dark fruit finish. This wine seemed to be the hit of the night and was enjoyed by all. Please be safe and have a great weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
This was from last Friday night at a gathering of friends we opened the 2010 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Vinyard Red Wine. A Bordeaux Blend of 52%Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc.
On the nose was black cherry, raspberry, cassis, chocolate, violets, graphite and dusty soil.
On the palate was good dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, licorice, bell pepper, spice, mocha, minerality and earthiness.
This wine is medium to full bodied with mediu + acidity and medium fine tannins that lead to a long dusty dark fruit finish. This wine seemed to be the hit of the night and was enjoyed by all. Please be safe and have a great weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷