2016 Andrew Will 'Ciel du Cheval Vineyard' Proprietary Red Red Mountain
A near 50/50 split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the play between these two varietals gives this wine a killer, focused energy and loads of complexity. Jeb Dunnuck calls it “young and primordial with loads of fruit.” It certainly has the structure to age and evolve with more time in the bottle, but the black plum, dusty, dark cherry, and grippy tannic core is undeniably appealing right this minute.
Wine Advocate
The 2016 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, begins with a red-fruited nose with dusty core of mineral-rich earth and red, floral bouquet wafts. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine expresses flavors of black plum and dusty, dark cherry, showing a clean and spicy wine with a tannic core that is still grippy. The wine will age well or can be enjoyed now with its food-friendly expression at its current stage.
Jeb Dunnuck
Violet, cassis, blueberry, cedar, and graphite notes all emerge from the 2016 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, which is from a great vineyard on Red Mountain. A blend of 57% Merlot and 43% Cabernet Franc brought up in 25% new oak, it's young and primordial, with loads of fruit balanced by good acidity, but it needs time to come together.