2004 Kana Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (4) Avg Score: 89.5 points

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  7/31/2011 - golfhawk wrote: 89 Points

  Still a very big wine that needs food to go with it. I think I will wait a few years for the last bottle.

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  9/2/2010 - golfhawk wrote: 90 Points

  A very good Ciel that had a touch of tannins when it was opened. This could last a little while or I would decant an hour before the meal next time.

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  12/4/2009 - rockrat wrote: 91 Points

  Bought half a case a couple of years ago based on tasting at the winery. Tried at the winery again this past June. Tried the first bottle a couple of nights ago with dinner. Decanted about 45 minutes prior to serving.
  
  And was pleasantly surprised. This is one of those wines that evolves as the decanter heads for empty, something we did not get when tasting by the glass at the winery.
  
  It had most of the characteristics the label says it does, but some listed as aromas were more discernible on the palate and vice versa. With the exception of the cassis; didn't really pick that up at any point. Dark for a claret. Nose dominated by the blackberries at first, and hints of blueberry as well. Violets showed up in the second glass giving way to mocha towards the end. There was a whiff of the advertised cedar box when freshly decanted, but this disappeared -- never to return -- by the time we drank it. The fruit aromas were reflected on the palate and joined by bing cherry on the mid-palate. Towards the end of the bottle, the mocha kicked in on the mid palate, too, and stayed for a fairly lengthy finish. There was a slight hint of leather up front in the first glass, but it seemed to fade. Thinking/hoping it comes back in more force in another year or two. Reasonably powerful fruit flavors, smooth, slightly chalky tannins characteristic of Red Mountain fruit, with just enough acidity to handle the meat. Probably not so good with tomato sauce dishes.
  
  We picked this up as part of a mixed case on an event day, and it was discounted to twenty clams per bottle. Easily worth the original thirty or so; not that many Washington wines evolve like this one did, and it had good, if not great, balance, power, and finish. Kana's best red, IMO. I suspect it will be a little different next year, and I would guess it'll be fine up to 2015.

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  2/4/2008 - RPerro wrote: 88 Points

  Secret Crush (Gerding Theater, Portland): Nice Bordeaux blend, with raspberry and cherry flavors. Smooth tannins made it very easy to drink.

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