Wine Article
2007 Tamarack Cellars Reserve Sagemoor Vineyard
Last edited on 4/18/2014 by ob2s
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A blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, the remainder evenly split between Merlot and Cab Franc, this is a beauty, offering a nose of cherry and dried strawberry fruit swaddled by nutty pecan barrel notes and wisps of smoke. The palate is a terrific mix of earth and fruit, throwing enough sediment to underscore that this wine is now almost seven years past vintage. It’s in a charming spot texturally, the tannins present and hefty but softening nicely. A wonderful rendition of this bottling from the old-vine material at Sagemoor, and from a vintage widely considered the best of the past decade.
This was one of few bottles to receive a strong score from David Schildknecht during his brief tenure covering Washington for Wine Advocate (a 93pt review from Schildknecht is a strong review indeed): Wine Advocate (David Schildknecht): “Lightly-cooked dark cherry and cassis, licorice, sealing wax, and what turned out to be, for this winery, a relatively rare impression of caramelized, maple syrup-like resin from oak scent the Tamarack 2007 Sagemoor Vineyard Reserve, then persist on a rich, polished and expansive palate that preserves more than enough primary juiciness to – along with subtle salinity – call forth salivation and the near-compulsive urge to take another sip. This seamless beauty – its Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 28% each Merlot and Cabernet Franc – ought to merit following for at least 6-8 years. 93pts.”
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (36% each), rounded out with Cabernet Franc, this is a classic example of a Red Mountain stalwart. If the Sagemoor bottle is more about soil, this Ciel is more about overt minerality, its iron minerals mixing with black cherry fruit and dried redcurrant. In the mouth, the complexity ramps up further, adding citrus pith bitters and leafy notes. Autumnal, crepuscular, this presents terrific grip and chew on a back-end that lingers on and on. For lovers of the grace and elegance of Ciel du Cheval, this cannot be missed.
Wine & Spirits (Patrick Comiskey): “Like a chunk of German rye, this blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and franc has an exotic savory note to complement black cherry and plum scents. A wine of uncanny depth, its flavors are classic Ciel du Cheval—generous black plum, blueberry and a hint of evergreen. The firm, rich tannins and violet-scented floral note on the finish give an elegant, lasting impression. 94pts.”
This was one of few bottles to receive a strong score from David Schildknecht during his brief tenure covering Washington for Wine Advocate (a 93pt review from Schildknecht is a strong review indeed): Wine Advocate (David Schildknecht): “Lightly-cooked dark cherry and cassis, licorice, sealing wax, and what turned out to be, for this winery, a relatively rare impression of caramelized, maple syrup-like resin from oak scent the Tamarack 2007 Sagemoor Vineyard Reserve, then persist on a rich, polished and expansive palate that preserves more than enough primary juiciness to – along with subtle salinity – call forth salivation and the near-compulsive urge to take another sip. This seamless beauty – its Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 28% each Merlot and Cabernet Franc – ought to merit following for at least 6-8 years. 93pts.”
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (36% each), rounded out with Cabernet Franc, this is a classic example of a Red Mountain stalwart. If the Sagemoor bottle is more about soil, this Ciel is more about overt minerality, its iron minerals mixing with black cherry fruit and dried redcurrant. In the mouth, the complexity ramps up further, adding citrus pith bitters and leafy notes. Autumnal, crepuscular, this presents terrific grip and chew on a back-end that lingers on and on. For lovers of the grace and elegance of Ciel du Cheval, this cannot be missed.
Wine & Spirits (Patrick Comiskey): “Like a chunk of German rye, this blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and franc has an exotic savory note to complement black cherry and plum scents. A wine of uncanny depth, its flavors are classic Ciel du Cheval—generous black plum, blueberry and a hint of evergreen. The firm, rich tannins and violet-scented floral note on the finish give an elegant, lasting impression. 94pts.”