Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard 2018

Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard 2018

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2016 vintage notes

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of the finest examples of this cuvée I’ve tasted is the 2016 Champoux Vineyard, which comes from one of the top terroirs in the state and is in the slightly cooler Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The blend in 2016 is 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet Franc, all aged 18 months in just 25% new French oak. Young, full-bodied, and primordial, it has incredible potential but is going to need 4-5 years of bottle age. Thrilling notes of blueberries, cassis, lead pencil shavings, and bouquet garni all define the bouquet and it has remarkable purity and elegance. It picks up more floral and high-toned notes with time in the glass and is a brilliant bottle of wine that will keep for 2-3 decades."

Of course Cabernet-based blends get all the love but I'm strongly encouraging you to give this tremendous blend a chance! I disagree with the need to give it years of age–I found it incredibly captivating, pillowy-creamy goodness in a glass. Red, blue, and black fruit tones, pastry notes, an exotic note I couldn't quite name but was enthralled with. Also from the 40-ish year-old vines in Champoux. -Marcus 

2014 vintage notes

94+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "A little more fresh and lively than the Ciel du Cheval, the 2014 Champoux has sensational purity in its lifted bouquet of cassis, black raspberries, violets and spring flowers. There's a touch of graphite that develops with time in the glass, and the wine has fine, polished tannin and an elegant, silky texture. It doesn't have the heft of the Ciel du Cheval but shines for its purity and elegance."

2012 vintage notes

94+ points Wine Advocate: One of the more backwards, structured efforts, the 2012 Champoux Vineyard is a blend of 64% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon that was raised in 35% new French oak. Full-bodied, serious and loaded with tannin, it offers impressive currant and darker fruits, tobacco leaf and crushed rock like aromas and flavors that continue to gain depth and richness with time in the glass. It should hit full maturity at around age 10, and nicely for a decade or more after that.

2011 vintage notes

The 2011 Champoux is strutting right now. The extra time in bottle will reward all those who pull the cork now. I'd personally let it rest in the cellar for another 4-5 years.

95 points Wine Advocate: "The most complete of the bottled releases, the 2011 Champoux Vineyard is comprised of 54% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 21 months in barrel, 35% being new. Giving up gorgeous cassis, earth, lead pencil shavings and hints of toast, this full-bodied, perfectly balanced 2011 has fantastic concentration, ample texture and a classically focused, structured finish. It will have 15 year or more of total longevity, which is saying something in this vintage." 

2010 vintage notes

Champoux 2010 rocks. Of the last 10 vintages, 2010 ranks right there with 05 and 08 as favorites. Champoux Vineyard always delivers, with black cherry, blueberry and cassis melding perfectly. 

2009 vintage notes

The nose on Andrew Will Champoux Red Wine '09 does exactly what you'd want it to - makes you want to drink it! That sounds so obvious, but this is pure pleasure: billowing black cherry, truffle, cassis, and a buttery pastry note that makes your eyes close in wistfulness. The ripe and silky texture helps make this delicious right now - sweet tannins and savory herbs compliment each other on the finish. A marquee Washington red blend. - Marcus

2008 vintage notes 

Wine Advocate 95 points: The 2008 Champoux Vineyard is made up of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. It sports an inviting bouquet of sandalwood, rose petal, Asian spices, a hint of leather, black currant, and blackberry. This is followed by a succulent, plush, pleasure-bent wine that deftly conceals enough structure to evolve for 5-7 years. 

Best since 2005 - those are the first 3 words I wrote. The aromas are a little shy but come to life quickly and then pow! Black cherry, blue berry, a dash of super deep black fruit with something that I can only describe as savory-earthy-mouthwatering-damn-I-love-this. This has amazing depth, with levity in the form of subtle crushed herbs mingling with tannins on the finish.

One of Avalon's most anticipated releases each year. From some of the oldest vines in Washington comes this powerhouse red. Beautiful black cherry, intense blueberry, and dark cocoa aromas, with pretty violet accents. Taking a sip is like biting into a warm black cherry/black plum gallette, with flavors cascading and expanding. The fine tannins are present but nicely integrated and the balance is perfect. A minute later minerals, earth, and sweetness linger. 

The 2008 Champoux is made from 30 year-old vines from Champoux - Washington's top vineyard. 46% Cabernet, 26% Merlot, 23% Cab Franc, 5% Petit Verdot.

Parker comments, in Parker's Wine Buyers Guide 5th Edition, that "Andrew Will's wines have virtually perfect tannins. They are present but buffered by the loads of dominating sweet fruit. Furthermore, what is amazing about Chris Camarda's wines is that they are concentrated yet grateful. Camarda's (wines) blend power with elegance, concentration with finesse, and supersweet fruit with definition. Chris Camarda is a brilliant winemaker."

2007 vintage notes 

A truly epic wine. While the blend changed in '07, the luscious nature of the wine did not. Heady aromas immediately ooze from the glass - crushed red and black fruits intertwine with baking spices and you're hooked. A supple wash of red berries, black cherry, sweet blueberry and ribbon of black currant persuades your palate. With decanting, the bottom notes and finish of the '07 Champoux flourishes and fattens, providing dark chocolate-covered cherry accents that are sensational. The 2007 Champoux is ultra-polished while maintaining the structure that Andrew Will wines are famous for. - Marcus

Wine Advocate 95 points: The 2007 Champoux Vineyard is a bit more deeply colored. A blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Petit Verdot, it is also denser, richer, more plush, and longer in the finish. Give it 4-6 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2014 to 2027." 

2006 vintage notes 

Andrew Will wines are a study in integrated oak. The 2006 Champoux shows excellent fruit structure and balance and will evolve over the next decade or more. Having recently tasted a vertical of Will Champoux from 2002 through 2005, I can attest to the rewards of buying Champoux for your cellar.

The 2006 Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard Red is absolutely classic Champoux. Seductive, pure aromas of ripe blackberries resonate with nuances of cocoa and smoke. At once dense and supple, the first burst of fruit expands and the layers of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and cassis unfold. The unstoppable Champoux fruit keeps shining through the finish, while a ribbon of savory blueberry syrup dances with nutmeg, sage leaf, and earth.

2005 vintage notes 

Wine Advocate 94 points: The 2005 Champoux Vineyard is made up of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it delivers an alluring perfume of pain grille, spice box, and violets. On the palate, it is layered, intense, and powerful. Its impeccable balance should allow it to evolve for up to a decade and drink well through 2030."

Wine Spectator 94 points: Seamless and harmonious, with beautifully articulated, ripe black cherry, cassis, and violet-tinged floral notes that mingle with hints of cedar and dark chocolate as the finish plays out against polished tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Best from 2009 through 2015." H.S.

 

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Build a Case® 

Make sure you always get a discount by using Build a Case® How it works:

If you haven't found a full case (12 bottles) to buy today, start your Build a Case®  now by purchasing a few bottles online, by phone or email. If you order online, select the Build a Case®  option. If by phone or email, just ask us to add the bottles to a Build a Case®  for you. You'll receive order confirmation and we'll cellar the wines for you until you reach a full case.

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Testimonials

★★★★★

Avalon is a gem. The wine selection is both excellent and expertly curated. Better yet, Marcus and Andy invest the time to get to know their customers personally. So their recommendations fit you like a well-tailored suit (just more reasonably priced!).

Sam P.
★★★★★

Marcus and Andy's knowledge of the wines, wineries and winemakers of the area is encyclopedic and, in my experience, second to none. They have a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of the industry and a knack for recommending wines that are 'in my wheelhouse,' but also the insight to direct me toward new discoveries. I wholeheartedly recommend them to both those in the know and those who would
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Bob S.
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Andy and Marcus only sell wines they would drink themselves, they sell them at reasonable prices, and they take exceptionally good care of their customers. Ethics, value, service…the reasons we buy all our wine from Avalon.

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These guys do an outstanding job of sourcing great wines at terrific prices. Their reviews are fun to read and quite on point without all of the nonsense. Whose ever tasted squirrel dung or asphalt anyway? Get on their email list and savor the experience; then tell a friend. That's how I became a dedicated customer of Avalon Wine.

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