2015 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Bordeaux blend – the full gamut, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon. Silky smooth nose, with ripe cassis and a sweet-tinged tomato-leaf note. Plenty of chewy tannins give structure – a touch drying – still needs time to integrate. (AC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard opens in the glass with notions of plums, spice and creamy new oak. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, firm and chewy, and while it displays some substance and concentration, I suspect it will always be somewhat constricted by its corset of tannin.
The 2015 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine is made from 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Franc that spent 22 months in 40% new French oak. It's a tiny production cuvée from a great site in Red Mountain, and its inky purple color is followed by another super-ripe, rich, blue-fruited, spicy red that has plenty of fine tannins and a good finish. Drink it over the coming decade.
Bright ruby-red. Brooding but pure aromas of blueberry, cassis, licorice and menthol, plus a mineral pungency. Densely packed, seamless and energetic, offering lovely definition and lift to the youthful, intense flavors of dark berries, licorice and fresh herbs. Lovely breadth without any weightiness. Finishes with a serious, broad dusting of tannins that avoid dryness. Excellent sappy length here. This impeccably balanced wine is built to age.