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 Vintage2008 Label 1 of 47 
TypeRed
ProducerGrand Rêve Vintners (web)
VarietyGrenache
DesignationCollaboration Series V
VineyardCiel du Cheval Vineyard
CountryUSA
RegionWashington
SubRegionColumbia Valley
AppellationRed Mountain

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2012 and 2020 (based on 10 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Force Majeure (Grand Reve) Collaboration Series V Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 92.3 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 52 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by Rich S on 9/14/2022 & rated 84 points: Decanted for sediment. From the nose I knew the wine was likely a bit over the hill as the dominant aromas were stewed red fruits, some mocha and oak and a sharp note of alcohol/heat coming through. Has some port-like characteristics on the nose for sure. On the palate, there are some kirsch and cherry cordial type flavors coming through but mostly baked red fruits and oak. Medium acidity, very high alcohol. Perhaps there was a time when the fruit held up to the alcohol and oak, but this wine is now past that point. Drink up if holding any. (806 views)
 Tasted by Coupe 60 on 8/9/2021 & rated 93 points: PnP... and had with appy's at an Italian restaurant with friends. Deep dark, almost black coloring in glass. Rich lush dark fruits, maybe some mocha... finishes smooth and soft, almost a hint of sweetness. Was not over the top though, had balance and was delicious to drink. Certainly had some life left. In a great spot right now. Threw a lot of sediment.... (1067 views)
 Tasted by Shay.Aldriedge on 8/6/2021: No score here. I love these wines (especially the newer Force Majuere wines), but this sported quite a bit of EA (ethyl acetate). When I first popped this, I double decanted to get it off the sediment, tried a glass and it seemed fine. Took it to its final destination and thought it had a hint of EA…as the day went on, it got stronger and stronger, sadly. Aside from the aromas being compromised, the palate seemed to be in order. At peak for this wines evolution, and sported a lot of kirsch, rhubarb, candied black cherries, and peppered plum. Wish the nose was as good as the palate! (1357 views)
 Tasted by drrobvino on 9/17/2020 & rated 89 points: Last of 4 bottles. Tasty and enjoyed over several days. (1332 views)
 Tasted by mjf@ulkner on 6/10/2019 & rated 93 points: Dark red, heavy sediment. Lush ripe raspberry, red currant fruit. Ripe, and rich- not much in the way of savory flavors. Smooth tannins on the finish. Delicious now. (1638 views)
 Tasted by drrobvino on 7/4/2018 & rated 90 points: Tasty and well-bridled red from WA state. Went nicely with grilled meats on July 4th. Drink now through 2020. (1629 views)
 Tasted by garambler on 10/29/2017 & rated 93 points: This had rich, expressive bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, orange rind, mocha, cola, toast and spice. The palate was big, rich and nicely balanced with flavors that followed the nose. (1614 views)
 Tasted by drrobvino on 4/8/2017 & rated 88 points: Tasty and proper Washington red wine. At $60/btl, a "never again buy" for me. Ouch. So many other options at half the price. (2088 views)
 Tasted by dlcass on 1/22/2016 & rated 96 points: Magnificent wine. I loved it, but yet perhaps I enjoy Grenache. Still youthful, benefits from decant/ time open. Wonderful nose of fruit, strawberry liquor, rhubarb pie, nice acidity- youthful; moth coating, nice acid finish with fruit. (3200 views)
 Tasted by G_H on 1/3/2016 & rated 90 points: On the way from the primary fruit driven phase to the secondary phase, lost a lot of its fat and richness, still good but a long shot from the fun of its primary phase (2803 views)
 Tasted by Vinsant on 10/10/2015: Big juicy strawberries framed by vanilla. A little earth poked out in between the red fruit and oak notes as well as pepper and spice. Smoothed out after an hour or so of air. (2989 views)
 Tasted by fitchbuck on 5/9/2015 & rated 93 points: This came out of magnum mildly effervescent - which usually suggests improper cellaring [bought at auction]. Thankfully it blew off after about an hour - and the fully rounded, big fruit wine profile that typically characterizes this label shone through. While I'm not a huge fan of the QPR for this winery, this particular bottle may have been the best I've had. (2916 views)
 Tasted by lvjohn on 2/12/2015 & rated 93 points: Big and robust. No notes beyond this though. Seems to have lots of life ahead of it. (2575 views)
 Tasted by drrobvino on 2/7/2015 & rated 88 points: Big, burly wine. I have 6 bottles, this wine is way too ripe and jammy for my current palate. Would never buy again at $60...ouch. Drinking well now through 2020 or so, I would say. You never know how these big ole wines with lacking med(-) acidity will age. (1773 views)
 Tasted by ChrisinCowiche on 1/3/2015 & rated 95 points: Excellent eloquent, smooth textured wine. Flavors of red raspberry white pepper, licorice, baking spices. In a really good place and I can't really see this getting much better.

Gains weight and body after an hour decant which takes this wine to another level. Wonderful! (1983 views)
 Tasted by fitchbuck on 12/30/2014 & rated 92 points: This label continues to punch below it's pay grade for me. While all solid wines, I can find similar Wa quality for half the price. (1687 views)
 Tasted by garambler on 8/29/2014 & rated 94 points: I opened this with friends on 8/29/14. It had a rich, powerful bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, cola, toast, sassafras and spice aromas. The palate was big, bold and powerful with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, prune, cola, toast, sassafras and spice. Our group’s average score was 93.25. (1563 views)
 Tasted by wirelesswine on 6/7/2014 & rated 92 points: Lots of red and dark berry fruit, with licorice pervasive on the nose and palate. Very enjoyable, and killer with steak from the grill. (1977 views)
 Tasted by Stumpy on 5/5/2014 & rated 92 points: I still like this wine a lot. It remains a nice vibrant red that is med bodied and smooth. It remains bright but was outmatched a bit by the bbq ribs. Still a lovely wine. (2032 views)
 Tasted by Stumpy on 12/6/2013 & rated 93 points: Confirm first score-drank over two hours on its own and was very tasty. Tended to the rich side without being overly fat and flabby. Fruit shows through without taking total control and makes a good wine to drink on its own-actuly not sure what you wod eat with this but would have to be red and marbled! (2279 views)
 Tasted by Stumpy on 9/13/2013 & rated 93 points: Lovely wine striking the weight balance perfectly. Nice rich ark berries but did not let it last long enough for the smoke and spice (consumed over 4 hours). (2546 views)
 Tasted by G_H on 7/6/2013 & rated 94 points: Super rich and fat, probably the fattest Grenache I know, even more opulent than the 07 XXL. Nice notes of super ripe berries with less minerals than normal for a Grenache. (2772 views)
 Tasted by tomlee on 6/2/2013 & rated 93 points: he '08 CS V is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Aged 15 months in French Burgundy barrels (100% new). 15.5% ABV. The wine was made by Chris Gorman of Gorman Winery. Bright purple in color. Black fruits, pepper and flowers on the nose. Raspberry liqueur, tar, stones, garrigue and spice on the palate. This wine has definitely picked up some weight since I last had it a year or so ago. The once bright flavors seem more dark and brooding now. Substantial tannins. Decant for several hours or better yet cellar the wine for another 2-4 years. (2566 views)
 Tasted by lvjohn on 4/30/2013 & rated 94 points: Our first tasting of this Grand Rêve and what a joy it was. Remarkable for it purity, its nose of dark fruit, spices, and a hint of oak, its taste of red fruits, exotic spices, and trace of tarry licorice. What a great achievement. I do think it should mature for at least another year before opening another bottle. (2580 views)
 Tasted by wineberg on 12/11/2012 & rated 93 points: Decanted last night, had a glass, then rebottled until tonight.

Really opened up overnight into a mature nose of ripe red fruit. Dark strawberry, cassis, crushed rock, smoky spice, nice acidic tang on the end. A hint of alcohol, but well balanced across fruit, acidity, tannin, nothing really sticks out. The tannins are silky yet grip, very nice.

Very good bottle of wine. If I had more of this I'd leave it alone for another 2-4 years at least. 93+ (2694 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, A focus on Washington State, Issue #4 (5/1/2010)
(Grand Reve Vintners Collaboration Series V Ciel du Cheval Vineyard) Login and sign up and see review text.
By Sean Sullivan
Washington Wine Report (8/13/2010)
(Grand Rêve Collaboration Series V Red Wine Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain) A beautiful, complex aroma profile with violets, abundant red fruit, and minerals. An unapologetically big, rich, powerful, smack-you-in-the-face type of wine with gobs of red fruit. The alcohol level is high on this wine but it works. 90% Grenache, 10% Syrah. Aged 15 months in French Burgundy barrels (100% new). 15.5% Alcohol. 100 cases produced. To be released fall 2010. Chris Gorman (Gorman Winery) winemaker.  ***** points
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JebDunnuck.com and Washington Wine Report. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Grand Rêve Vintners

Producer website

Grenache

Varietal character (Appellation America) - Read more about Grenache

Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

Ciel du Cheval (named for the wonderful views of the neighboring Horse Heaven Hills) sits further down the Red Mountain slope from Tapteil on slightly more vigorous soils. Jim Holmes has employed a fan trellis system and careful management to great effect; the wines are among the most elegant from Red Mountain without sacrificing any of the power and intensity typical of the terroir.

On weinlagen-info

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

Washington

Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article

Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.

Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.

Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.

Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.

Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.

History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.

State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.

Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon Rimmerman

Columbia Valley

Columbia Cascade Winery Association

The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.

Red Mountain

WinesNW Article on Red Mountain

Wine Enthusiast Article on Red Mountain

The Seattle Times Article on Red Mountain

 
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