2014 Merlot Ciel du Cheval, Red Mountain
The 2014 season was warmer than normal throughout the year. Spring Summer and Fall. But the magical September nights had low temperatures that allowed the fruit to fully mature and develop gentle but intense tannins. while preserving acid.
Using grapes from a single clone of Merlot from a single block, the grapes were hand harvested and sorted. Following crushing 40% of the must was placed in wooden roller barrels for fermentation. The balance was placed in traditional open top fermenters. The wine was then barrel aged for 22 months in 63% new French Oak and and 37% Neutral Oak.
A deep purple wine, the aromas of fruit leap out of the glass followed by undertones of caramel and toast. The palate is filled with a mélange of berries and red fruits. The flavors lifts during a long, intense finish. This is classic Ciel du Cheval Merlot. 93 Points, Best of Class, 2020 American Wine Society Awards.
91 Points, Decanter
Clive Pursehouse, 12/2022
A Merlot crafted from both a single clone and a single block in the Ciel du Cheval vineyard. It is big and broad-shouldered, with aromas of cinnamon, cocoa powder and nutmeg alongside black fruit hints and a touch of leather. Flavours of baking chocolate, blueberry, anise, thyme and baking spice. Five years since harvest this wine is showing nicely.
91 Points, International Wine Review
J. Young, August 2021.
100% Merlot from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard of Red Mountain, this wine is aged in 63% new French oak for 22 months and presents deep purple in the glass. Attractive Christmas-spiced red plums, black cherry, dried mint and red peppercorn aromatics lift a red-fruit dominated palate with secondary characteristics of gingerbread spice and iron ore. Medium acidity and medium-low tannins are present on the finish.
19/20 Points, Review of Washington Wines
Rand Sealey, March 2021.
Deep ruby-crimson colored, this wine possesses seductive aromas of wild raspberries, cherries, Damson plums, crushed roses, pipe tobacco, black olive, sandalwood (a trait of maturing wine), rosemary, sagebrush and incense. The flavors are medium full bodied with layers of dark fruits that are intermixed with licorice, bittersweet chocolate, French roast and dusty, minerally earth. On the back, the wine turns Pomerol-like, with roasted berries and nuts, mocha, framboise and kirsch liqueurs, integrated oak (63% new French) and graphite, followed by a lingering persistently minerally finish.
