**2017 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard [Proprietary Blend]**

The 2017 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is a proprietary blend originating from one of the top sites on Red Mountain, within the Yakima Valley sub-appellation of Washington's Columbia Valley. This red wine, featuring a blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, and 8% Merlot, is produced by Cadence and is closed with a cork. It carries an alcohol content of 14.4%.

Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine a score of 93, describing it as a "pure, balanced, classic Red Mountain Bordeaux blend." He noted its aromatic profile of dried tobacco, new leather, chocolate, and dried soil, complemented by a core of dark fruit. Dunnuck highlighted its "medium to full body, fabulous balance, and great finish," predicting an evolution over the next 15-20 years (jebdunnuck.com, 4/15/2020).

Wine & Spirits also rated this blend highly with a score of 92. The review emphasized the wine's "big" nature, with "woozy cherry and plum flavors and a salty edge." The tannins were described as "finessed," making it an ideal pairing for steak (Wine & Spirits, 12/1/2020).

Stephen Tanzer from Vinous echoed the positive sentiment with another 92 score. He noted the wine's "cool scents of redcurrant, tobacco leaf, peppery herbs and licorice," and called it "fine-grained and concentrated." Tanzer observed the wine's "subtle sweetness and spicy lift," and though it remained "stubbornly tight" even after 24 hours, he praised its "vibrant primary fruit" and projected a long aging potential (Vinous, 12/1/2020).

Wine Enthusiast's Sean P. Sullivan gave the wine a score of 93, focusing on its "brooding aromas of black currant, anise, dried and fresh herb, scorched earth and boysenberry." He described the palate as "tightly packed, highly structured" with "mouthwatering flavors," and suggested it would be best enjoyed after 2026 (Wine Enthusiast, 12/31/2020).

Overall, the 2017 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is a robust and complex wine, well-received by critics and expected to age gracefully over the next couple of decades.