2010 Cadence Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard

Ben’s Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend from his estate vineyard, the 2010 Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard, checks in at 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and then equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Perfumed and complex aromatically, with plenty of blackberry, blueberry, violets and resinous herb qualities on the nose, it is beautifully constructed on the palate with a layered, rich texture, juicy acidity and ripe tannin that emerges on the finish. While the most structured and firm of Ben’s 2010s, it still dishes out plenty of pleasure even now. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade. Drink now-2024. Started by Benjamin Smith and Gaye McNutt in 1998, this Bordeaux-blend focused estate is located just outside of Seattle and pulls all of their fruit from Red Mountain. They produce five different cuvees, with their entry level Coda being made from declassified lots and the other four focusing on single vineyard efforts from Red Mountain. They all show the Red Mountain tannic/savory side, yet balance it with plenty of texture, solid aromatics and overall classy, age-worthy profiles. In addition to his Tapteil and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard designates, Ben’s two reserve bottlings both come from his estate Cara Mia Vineyard which consists of 10.5 acres (8.3 under vine) which was planted to 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Petit in 2004. Tel. (206) 381-9507; cadencewinery.com

(76% cabernet sauvignon with 8% each cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot): Good bright, full red. Aromas of blueberry, mint and menthol along with a hint of cherry. Dense, pliant and sweet but in a distinctly closed stage today, conveying a medicinal quality and a peppery, herbal reserve to its flavors of red and dark berries and spices. Finishes with a firm spine of dusty tannins and lingering flavors of dark berries and peppery herbs. Suave and fine-grained but in need of a good five or six years of patience, at which point it should merit a higher rating.