Part of a WA State wine night with my group. All the reds were from 2010 to 2013. This was one of three wines from the Champoux vineyard. It was the only 100% Cabernet Sauvignon of the night, and its was opened, but not decanted for at least 90 minutes before pouring. Great nose, dark color, and I think it has improved in the 4 years since my last bottle. I'm leaving the score the same, because of the 3 Champoux bottles at the dinner this was the "least" favorite. Still, very enjoyable and I think it still has years of life ahead of it.
Decanted two hours. 100% CS (not a blend) on 83% new French and American oak. Out-front bright fruit of black currant and blackberry followed by the usual suspects; voluptuous texture with a seductive finish. Plenty of acidity and tannins for it's trip into the future. If I had another bottle, and I don't, would be happy to hold thru 2025.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
(Mostly) Washington State Wine Night: Part of a Washington State red wine night. Very enjoyable, but not quite as good as the other wines. Probably has years of life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
In an excellent place. Beautiful nose with dark chocolate, black raspberry, cinnamon, baking spice, and a vein of pure plum. On the palate, excellent acidity, pepper, baking spice, cardamom, more black raspberry, and excellent depth. Soft, finely grained tannin, on the slightly peppery finish. A touch oak driven, but very good with our pichana.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Underwhelming. The acid was pronounced to almost be uncomfortable. Red berry and earth on the palate. Short finish. By day 2, the nose was of it already turned (even though corked overnight).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Yum. Lots of toast, vanilla, graphite, ripe black cherries, cassis, espresso. Great body with balanced acidity, dark red fruits and some coffee on the palate. Tannins are gripping and plush for a really smooth finish that lingers for a bit. Great wine to cozy up with on a cold night. Decanted; this was doing great after about 30 minutes of air. Drinking very well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Friends and I tasted this at the Woodinville tasting room on 8/29/14. It had a rich, nuanced bouquet of cassis, black cherry, violet, mocha, toast and spice aromas. The palate was well integrated, ripe, tart and dry with flavors that followed the nose.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a much different wine than the 2008 vintage. It is noticeably more oaky and not as densely packed. It's still a whole lot of wine, and Champoux terroir elements are present. The cool vintage may have hurt this wine a little. Will hold my other bottle for a couple of years to see how it develops. 91-92.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big and smooth. This is what I think of when I think of the best Fidelitas wines. Long round mid palate and long finish. Very easy to drink despite it's weight. Acid and tannins to age, but drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/29/2024 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 92 Points
Part of a WA State wine night with my group. All the reds were from 2010 to 2013. This was one of three wines from the Champoux vineyard. It was the only 100% Cabernet Sauvignon of the night, and its was opened, but not decanted for at least 90 minutes before pouring. Great nose, dark color, and I think it has improved in the 4 years since my last bottle. I'm leaving the score the same, because of the 3 Champoux bottles at the dinner this was the "least" favorite. Still, very enjoyable and I think it still has years of life ahead of it.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/3/2021 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Decanted two hours. 100% CS (not a blend) on 83% new French and American oak. Out-front bright fruit of black currant and blackberry followed by the usual suspects; voluptuous texture with a seductive finish. Plenty of acidity and tannins for it's trip into the future. If I had another bottle, and I don't, would be happy to hold thru 2025.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2020 - jmcmchi Likes this wine: 91 Points
Just starting to show signs of browning
Restrained tannins and acidity under dark red berries. Can only go downhill from here
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (2)
3/15/2020 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 92 Points
(Mostly) Washington State Wine Night: Part of a Washington State red wine night. Very enjoyable, but not quite as good as the other wines. Probably has years of life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2019 - Pedroel Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ready, but still took an hour to unclench. Will drink the last one soon.
5/8/2016 Note: Not quite ready, IMO. Tannins need more time to integrate. 2017 or even 2018 for the next of 3 left. 90 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2019 - WAWINEFAN wrote: 92 Points
Excellent- prime now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2018 - Francophile Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another great wine from Fidelitas. So glad we found this winery
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2018 - Francophile Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another very good wine from Fidelitas
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2018 - Aravind Asok wrote:
In an excellent place. Beautiful nose with dark chocolate, black raspberry, cinnamon, baking spice, and a vein of pure plum. On the palate, excellent acidity, pepper, baking spice, cardamom, more black raspberry, and excellent depth. Soft, finely grained tannin, on the slightly peppery finish. A touch oak driven, but very good with our pichana.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2018 - mansfjj wrote: 93 Points
Delicious and smooth. Classic Bordeaux. Not as fruit forward as Napa cabs but definitely a great Washington wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2017 - fats1976 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Underwhelming. The acid was pronounced to almost be uncomfortable. Red berry and earth on the palate. Short finish. By day 2, the nose was of it already turned (even though corked overnight).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2016 - jmcmchi Likes this wine:
Developed slowly since last tasting two years ago - it still has two or three years yet for full enjoyment
Chalky bramble and spice on nose
On palate, tannins are chalky and assertive. Dark fruit leads into herbal notes, with long lingering tannin finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2015 - ekirby wrote:
This is charcoal and over ripe fruit. Not good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2015 - gtm Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice . well balanced, 1 hour decant
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/24/2015 - Aravind Asok wrote:
Yum. Lots of toast, vanilla, graphite, ripe black cherries, cassis, espresso. Great body with balanced acidity, dark red fruits and some coffee on the palate. Tannins are gripping and plush for a really smooth finish that lingers for a bit. Great wine to cozy up with on a cold night. Decanted; this was doing great after about 30 minutes of air. Drinking very well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2014 - IamNotDrinkingAny#@!%Merlot wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful example of Champoux Cabernet; delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/29/2014 - garambler wrote: 91 Points
Friends and I tasted this at the Woodinville tasting room on 8/29/14. It had a rich, nuanced bouquet of cassis, black cherry, violet, mocha, toast and spice aromas. The palate was well integrated, ripe, tart and dry with flavors that followed the nose.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2014 - jmcmchi Likes this wine: 91 Points
Cigar box and blackberry bouquet with toasty notes. Chalky, dusty tannins Long lingering finish; beautiful structure, layers of fruit and violets
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2014 - Motz wrote: 91 Points
This is a much different wine than the 2008 vintage. It is noticeably more oaky and not as densely packed. It's still a whole lot of wine, and Champoux terroir elements are present. The cool vintage may have hurt this wine a little. Will hold my other bottle for a couple of years to see how it develops. 91-92.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2013 - pdemaio wrote: 93 Points
Big and smooth. This is what I think of when I think of the best Fidelitas wines. Long round mid palate and long finish. Very easy to drink despite it's weight. Acid and tannins to age, but drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2013 - Mhe23 wrote: 90 Points
Smooth, full bodied. Earthy smell
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment