2013 Nebbiolo Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
Nebbiolo is native to the Piedmont area of Italy. Little is grown in the United States. It has a poor reputation among wine growers. It is said to be difficult to grow and to have unpredictable crop levels. Everyone told us we were crazy to plant it. But the wines it produces in Italy are fantastic and we wanted to try, we wanted to see how it would perform at Ciel. It is without a doubt one of the ugliest grape plants you will see. It has long gangly shoots with tiny leaves that are a yellowish green, not the typical dark green of most varieties. But regardless of the vine’s shape, form and color, since our first harvest, it has been producing unique and promising wines. So promising that each year we continue work with the vine, adjusting the growing approach. And each year, year after year the wines have improved and become spectacular.
Yes, Nebbiolo is difficult to grow, but the result, the wines are worth the effort!
A nose of cherries , flowers, menthol, licquorice and tobacco leaf. Palate has notes of intense redcurrant, spice and earth Energetic and juicy with the tannic backbone expected from Nebbiolo. 96 pts Washington Tasting Room Magazine. 97 Cases Produced.
| Vintage | 2013 |
| Varietal | 100% Nebbiolo |
| Appellation | Red Mountain |
| Vineyard | Ciel du Ceval |
| Acid | 5.8 g/l |
| PH | 3.65 |
| Aging | 22 months in Neutral Oak |
| Fermentation | 100% Open Top Fermenter |
| Alcohol | 14.83% |
| Wine Style | Red Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
96 pts. Washington Tasting Room Magazine
April 2022
Packed with sensational cherry, sweet red currant and dried strawberry flavors that all fall into the right place. Delivers remarkable freshness, backed with chewy tannins that broaden out on the finish, with tobacco and mineral notes taking a supportive role.
Sip Magazine, March 2022
Steve Kilisky
In 2001, Jim Holmes, owner of Ciel du Cheval, was looking for something new to try. His son, winegrower Richard, reminisced, “My father loves Nebbiolo. He did some research, talked with a few people familiar with Italian varietals, and decided to roll the dice and plant a little. He was told he was crazy to try it, but it has worked.” In 2012, Ciel du Cheval decided to make small quantities of their own wines to experiment and better understand the true potential of their grapes. The cherry aromas linger on the nose and the wine delivers prominent tannins counter-balanced by juicy acids. The wine opens with each sip. (97 cases)
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other vintages.
2013
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