The 2017 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Proprietary Blend is a distinguished red wine hailing from the Red Mountain sub-appellation of the Yakima Valley in Washington's Columbia Valley. This vintage comprises a carefully crafted blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, and 8% Merlot, resulting in a wine with a robust character and a promising future.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine an impressive 93 points, highlighting its "beautiful core of dark fruit," medium to full body, and "fabulous balance." He characterized it as a "pure, balanced, classic Red Mountain Bordeaux blend" that shows potential for aging over the next 15 to 20 years. Wine Enthusiast's Sean P. Sullivan echoed Dunnuck's sentiment with another 93-point rating, noting its "brooding aromas of black currant, anise, dried and fresh herb, scorched earth, and boysenberry." Sullivan also emphasized the wine's tightly packed and highly structured palate, suggesting it will reach its peak after 2026.
Vinous reviewer Stephen Tanzer gave the wine a 92-point score, appreciating its "fine-grained and concentrated" nature and its "lovely subtle sweetness and spicy lift." Tanzer noted the wine's salinity and density, suggesting it might benefit from additional cellaring to develop its aromatic complexity.
Meanwhile, Wine & Spirits also rated the wine at 92 points, describing it as "big" with "woozy cherry and plum flavors and a salty edge." The publication recommended pairing the wine with steak, thanks to its "clean and frank" profile and "finessed tannins."
Overall, the 2017 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Proprietary Blend is a compelling and sophisticated wine, praised for its balance and aging potential. Its complex flavor profile and structure make it a noteworthy choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.