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 Vintage2005 Label 1 of 5 
TypeRed
ProducerAndrew Will (web)
VarietyRed Bordeaux Blend
Designationn/a
VineyardSheridan Vineyard
CountryUSA
RegionWashington
SubRegionColumbia Valley
AppellationYakima Valley

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2009 and 2018 (based on 5 user opinions)

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 91 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 26 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by noiregonian on 8/13/2021 & rated 95 points: Incredibly sexy blend of Cab, Merlot and Cab Franc showcasing what we love best about WA Bordeaux blends – savory yet fruity nose, plush mouth, incredible balance, elegant tannins and a lush, lingering finish. Super inky in color with just a bit of cherry red bricking; lots of blackcurrant and black berry/cherry going on, with flint and balanced acid as well. Definitely my WOTN. (432 views)
 Tasted by norsktorsk on 6/13/2021 & rated 95 points: This is drinking very nice. rich mid palate. still with some fruit and a nice long finish. right in its window (488 views)
 Tasted by Kenny_G on 11/1/2020 & rated 97 points: The consensus wine of the night at a tasting of 15 wines by 16 people. Made from 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and 30% Cabernet Franc. This wine has been unfailingly good from release, and at 15 years has dramatically improved to be the best it has ever tasted. Begins with an enticing opaque black color. Very perfumed smell of black currants, cherries, blackberries, and walnuts. In the mouth the tannins have rounded, and the overall mouthfeel is caressing. Throughout the taste, the wine is concentrated, rich, and delicious, with layers of complexity, and a near endless aftertaste. (426 views)
 Tasted by norsktorsk on 4/18/2019 & rated 90 points: I am not sure about this one. It was off in a way. (687 views)
 Tasted by Mossrose on 6/7/2018 & rated 94 points: Opened this 13 year Bordeaux blend to compare to other Andrew Will wines from current vintages and showcase how the older ones get far better. Pitch black with an inch pour and only a thin lighter red outer ring. The nose streams out the glass layered with violets, plums, black cherries, and black currants The sip rolls into the mouth and coats it with palpably intense flavors and adds blackberry to the fruit. Mouth watering acidity and an undertow of tannin frame a lush and rich taste. The wine glides through the mouth with the sweep, elegance, and seamless flow of an Olympic ice skater. A delicious aftertaste resonates for minutes after the swallow. (67 views)
 Tasted by vinole on 6/4/2018 & rated 90 points: Needed about 20 min of decanting to fully open. The dark fruit was still rather shy and the tannins were resolved but still prominent. Don't think this will get any better and the fruit will likely recede further so I would drink up. (691 views)
 Tasted by Doc90 on 11/23/2017 & rated 90 points: Boysenberry and cranberry reduction on the nose. Ripe fruit, gritty texture. The oak is nicely integrated. This is more fruit-forward than I expected though. Ready to drink, but no rush either. (615 views)
 Tasted by doggman on 5/10/2017 & rated 87 points: Still drinking very well. It took 15 minutes to start to open up. If you've got it, drink it soon. (818 views)
 Tasted by benny on 8/14/2014 & rated 92 points: This wine has developed since last bottle year age. Opened for 1 hour. Best at the end after 3 hours.
Nose of cinnamon and spice. Tannins no problem. Tobacco and cedar on the finish. 30% Cab Franc there for sure. (1818 views)
 Tasted by dleaf on 5/3/2014 & rated 88 points: An above average wine but deteriorated since 2012(last bottle). Only good for first night. Nothing there second night. (1714 views)
 Tasted by benny on 9/9/2013 & rated 90 points: Opened,decanted and drank over 2 hours. I did read in CT concerning the cork issues and I did have the problem also.The cork was very solid in the bottle and no leakage. I cranked the cork screw way down but it did break and left 1/2 in the bottle. Was able to remove with no problem. This is a smooth enjoyable wine but very over priced. I paid $50 at release but there are many wines in the market for $25 that would outshine. I am fond of Andrew Will but will be more selective. (1994 views)
 Tasted by dleaf on 12/1/2012 & rated 90 points: Same as my previous note. Notable fresh fruit. (1684 views)
 Tasted by Apollo_Creed on 11/24/2012 flawed bottle: Flawed. Disappointing. (2351 views)
 Tasted by dleaf on 10/17/2012 & rated 90 points: Nice nose of perfumed fruit. Palate was clean fruit with no oak in the way with smooth tannins. Most of the fruit was in the front and middle of the palate. (692 views)
 Tasted by dleaf on 3/24/2012 & rated 89 points: A strange bottle. Opened up and had a great nose and let breathe for awhile. Not much fruit on the palate until the next day. Got a second bottle out of the cellar and it really pops. First bottle a little dumb? (1565 views)
 Tasted by bmilesfl on 10/10/2011 & rated 91 points: Funny, just like the last CT note, I too had the cork break off halfway down as I was pulling it out. I've had mine properly cellared in a EuroCave for a few years. I rarely see this happen. Wonder if Andrew Will has a cork QC problem??? Fortunately, the wine was fine and was enjoyable. Big fruit and tannins present in this wine. PnP showed flat profile. But, after a couple of hours, it opens up nicely. So, recommend a decant before consuming. (2232 views)
 Tasted by GA_Seattle on 9/25/2011 flawed bottle: Bad cork was stuck to the sides of the neck - disintegrated with the corkscrew. Finally had to push the bottom half down into the wine and it was spoiled. (1983 views)
 Tasted by 9 and 3/4 on 3/13/2011 & rated 93 points: Great color, deep purple, dark...oak, fruit and sweet tobacco on the nose....dark cherry, a little blueberry tart, blackberry, red licorice, tasty with a long finish... well made, well balanced good now or keep... great value! (2021 views)
 Tasted by rkelly on 11/3/2010: Drank with Julie for Bday (1762 views)
 Tasted by GA_Seattle on 2/8/2010: Deep, dark purple hue. Gorgeous aroma of smoke and red berries. Cranberry on the front palate followed by (1609 views)
 Tasted by Giladog on 12/9/2008 & rated 90 points: Not exceptionally memorable, but very solid cabernet. Definitely worth the price, though I look forward to tasting some of the other wines from this producer. (2361 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2008, IWC Issue #141
(Andrew Will Winery Sheridan Vineyard Red Wine Yakima Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels)

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

Andrew Will

Producer website
Andrew Will Winery was started in 1989 and is owned by Chris Camarda. The winery was launched out of a love for wine that Chris had developed while working in the restaurant trade for almost 20 years. Named after the Camardas’ son Will and nephew Andrew, Andrew Will has been a major contributor to the success and notoriety in recent years of Washington State wines. Initially, the winery consisted of 900 square feet of rented industrial space in Seattle.
In 1994, the Camardas moved to Vashon Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, where they built the present winery. The fruit however comes from the mainland, across the Cascades in Eastern Washington, where all the significant vineyards lie in the rain shadow of the mountains.
Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval vineyards are adjacent on the loam and gravel soils of Red Mountain but produce different styles of wine. Klipsun makes massive, opulent wine to appreciate early. Ciel du Cheval possesses a slightly more tannic structure and great ageing potential.

Red Bordeaux Blend

Red Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.

Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.

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.

Yakima Valley

Wine Yakima Valley

 
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