Home Runs: The Highest Scores, Best Vintage of Cadence
We're long-time Cadence fans and we've found general agreement with wine reviewer Jeb Dunnuck's taste in Washington wine. So when we read his take on Cadence 2018s, we got wide-eyed: "This is easily the finest set of releases I’ve tasted from winemaker Ben Smith and he’s hit a home run in 2018."
We nabbed pre-arrival bottles to taste for ourselves and we concur with Dunnuck; his praise of Cadence 2018s and the highest scores he's given Cadence wines are absolutely spot on: "As always, these are classic Bordeaux blends from Red Mountain, yet I was blown away by the quality of the tannins as well as the seamless, elegant textures Smith was able to build into his wines. Don’t miss these beauties!"
They are magically silky and elegant with overall balance rarely achieved in Washington Bordeaux-style blends (the abvs show 14.4%, for those who are counting). To repeat, we highly recommend you don't miss these and have put together an offer to make it even more attractive: save 15% on Cadence Camerata, Bel Canto, and Ciel du Cheval 2018 between now and their mid-October arrival. Lock yours in today!
Save 15% with our pre-arrival offer
$54.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($64.95 regular)
98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Incredible notes of blackcurrants, black olives, tobacco, damp earth, and sous bois define the bouquet, and it's a magical, full-bodied, incredibly balanced Cabernet with ripe, silky tannins, no hard edges, and a monster of a finish. As with the Bel Canto, it's one of the finest wines I've ever tasted from this estate. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc.
Us: Let's call this a Cabernet and then put it into perspective: two points from perfection and a little over $50? Extremely rare territory for Cabernet from...anywhere. That it also happens to be a fantastic bottle of wine is even better. I love the texture, balance, and purity.
Save 15% with our pre-arrival offer
$54.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($64.95 regular)
97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Gorgeous notes of cassis and ripe black cherry fruits as well as leafy herbs, forest floor, iron, tobacco, and spice all soar from the glass, and this head-turning beauty is full-bodied, with a seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. It's one of the finest wines I've ever tasted from Ben Smith and should be snatched up by readers! It's going to keep for 15+ years or more. Wow."
Us: Definitely, hands-down the best vintage of Bel Canto. Aromatically wonderful and just like Camerata, so silky and pure. When Jeb mentions the great, great finish, he means it–it sails and sails. 73% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot
Save 15% with our pre-arrival offer
Cadence Ciel Du Cheval Vineyard 2018
$39.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($47.95 regular)
95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lots of classic Red Mountain tannins and minerality as well as notes of cassis, currants, dried herbs, graphite, and loamy soil define this beauty, and it's medium to full-bodied and wonderfully balanced, with a round, expansive mouthfeel and a great finish. Well worth seeking out, it’s going to deliver the goods for a solid two decades. Ciel Du Cheval is based on 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot, and 12% Petit Verdot. It comes from unquestionably one of the top vineyards on Red Mountain and spent 18 months in French oak."
Us: Again Dunnuck nailed the note–this wears its Red Mountain heart on its sleeve. It shares some of the fruit silkiness of Camerata and Bel Canto but has a more classic Ciel du Cheval structured profile, calling for some protein if drinking in the early years.
$26.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($29.95 regular)
Cabernet Franc again leads the blend in Coda 2018 showing a rich, deep, expressive nose of dark cherries, minerals and pencil shavings. The palate is broad, silky and complex, in part owing to the wonderful texture of Cab Franc. Beautifully balanced acidity makes the wine come alive. Along with the firm, fine tannins the balance suggests long aging potential if you could possibly not drink it for its youthful vigor and sheer yum factor.