2006 Andrew Will Red Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

The 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is a blend of 40% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it has an outstanding bouquet of cedar, cinnamon, clove, black currant, and blackberry. On the palate the tannins so predominant in Red Mountain are nicely tamed. There are layers of savory fruit, considerable complexity, excellent balance, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. This lengthy effort will benefit from 3-5 years of additional cellaring and drink well through 2026. Andrew Will, located on Vashon Island, a short ferry-ride from Seattle, is where Chris Camarda fashions his blended, Bordeaux-style wines. These 2006s were reviewed in Issue 177 prior to their release along with the 2005s. I retasted the 2006s at the winery in May, 2009 and report on them again because they are the current releases. I was shown the 2007s of these four wines from a vintage Camarda considers “a super year”. In each case, the 2007 is superior to its 2006 counterpart. Tel. (206) 463-9227; www.andrewwill.com

(40% merlot, 37% cab franc, 19% cabernet sauvignon and 4% petit verdot) Bright ruby-red. Raspberry, redcurrant, minerals and dried herbs on the nose; less high-toned than the 2005. Juicy, bright and intense, with lovely precision to its primary flavors. Offers a terrific tight core of fruit and harmonious ripe acidity. A step up from the earlier vintage in lift. Finishes broad, with very suave tannins.