Ciel du Cheval 2018

38% cabernet sauvignon, 31% cabernet franc, 19 % merlot, 12% petit verdot

Ciel du Cheval, n. a. French, horse sky, b. Red Mountain vineyard named for its sweeping view of the Horse Heaven Hills, c. Cadence blend of Bordeaux clonal selections grown on Ciel du Cheval Vineyard.

Cherry and spice notes go from aroma to palate all the way through the long, long finish. The wine is deeply structured with fine tannins present everywhere you taste. The word ‘gracious’ comes to mind; the wine is open for business right now, elegant in presentation and thoroughly enjoyable. Don’t drink all your bottles too soon though, this Ciel du Cheval will only improve for 15+ years. This vintage has all the things that have made Ciel such a delight to work with for the past twenty years – a fantastic final vintage for our work with Ciel.. 386 cases.

 

2018 was the last vintage of Ciel du Cheval that Cadence produced.

B. Smith