9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. My fav of all the Andrew Will wines. The fruit that is bursting out is wonderful and it doesn't seem to ever fade. This is my eighth bottled of the 03 that I have opened and still have two left. Pound for pound (and dollar for dollar), one of the best wines of the universe
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Expressive nose of cinnamon stick, plum pudding, summer woods, and boysenberry. Cinnamon stick and clove up front, savory sweet red fruit. Excellent Bordeaux-quality acidity. Energizing. I love the Champoux bottling from Andrew Will.
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Last of my bottles. Brought to Edibles for dinner with speaker. Lively red fruit, good acidity, some subtle spice notes. Still pretty youthful tasting overall. For me, this was edged out by the '02 Conn Valley Eloge, although both were good.
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Had this many times over the years. Not much changed and this is still my go to wine and vintage. i have a ten year vertical of Champoux and the 2003 is always the standout. Have two left and there is no hurry to drink as this will hold for another 5+ years
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Annual Christmas Wine Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Didn't take detailed notes. Part of Christmas wine dinner and cellar raid. One of my favorites from AW. The 2003 is still drinking great and I don't think there is a better vintage than this one
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Great wine. I was amazed at the beauty of this wine if I had it blind I would have thought this was a top quality bordeaux. Beautiful dark fruit of cassis, plums, blackberry with some dried herb. Great extract without being over the top and enough acidity that made this terrific with food. Top notch from WA state.
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Didn't take detailed notes. Drank from Magnum. Drank the 2003 Champoux many times and is one of my all time fav's. This was no different and has plenty of time to go. Will track the next three over many years
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Finished off a bottle that I had tried previously with a coravin. The cork was moist, and fell apart. The wine had a slightly stinky smell which blew away. The wine was good, but tasted slightly cooked. It was much better the first time.
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Dark red color. Nose had some burnt sugar that blew off.. A hint of heat, with intense dark fruit nose. On the palate however, the fruit is missing, with acidity dominating. Feels like it's past it's prime. I would drink up.
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My first AW wine. Wow -- really good! There was plenty of lively WA fruit here along with a velvety texture and great acidity that kept the wine feeling fresh and energetic and good with food. This is not restrained, but it has beautiful balance. All of the parts fit together seamlessly. Have 2 more and no hurry to drink them, but they are great now. Terrific wine making here.
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2013 Christmas Wine Dinner (Naperville, IL): Last of the six bottle vertical and as always the best of best from AW. Still have plenty left and will buy more when they are available.
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Outstanding. Beautiful nose of plums and cassis. Gorgeous texture, nice earthy notes add to the blackberry/blueberry fruit. Despite notes below I think this has plenty of life left (so did the Sommelier who tried some). One of the great from WA State.
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Still drinking very well. Fruit is bursting from the glass but the tannins are much more in check and the finish isn't quite as strong as it once was. Still have 4 bottles plus a magnum so need to consider drinking sooner than anticipated.
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this drank really nice on opening, but then seemed to fade quickly. In the end I really enjoyed it, but felt like it drank older than it is, more like a 15 year old bordeaux
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Man this is some good stuff. In its prime, but feels like its nearing the end though. I have one more bottle, need to drink it up soon.
Smells of cocoa and old leather books. Just a hint of blue fruit to give depth. On the palate, tannins are fully integrated, very refined and soft,. Tastes of plum on the attack, mild tannins carry the middle, and just enough acid to tie the back end so it doesn't get flabby. Long finish that fades ever so slowly.
Really good stuff.
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Really showing well, the tannins have mellowed and integrated, but there's still plenty of body, there's a hint of acid on the end, long linger. very exciting wine.
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Showing well. 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet France, 15% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Deep cassis with a bright red edge, smoke and a bit of pepper. Ripe but not overwhelming fruit with nice depth and layers, lightly tart and dusty tannins. Long smokey, earthy finish with bitter cacao.
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This is drinking very well. Still has a beautiful nose filled with berries, but the alcohol has settled down and it has a nice balanced mouthfeel. Wished it had a better finish.
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Intoxicating nose (the good way) - caramel, smoke and fog with depth; Body follows through; Great depth; Nice body; Great balance - like a tipping point at the back of my throat; Shows a bit ripe; I would hold this a long time; Nice underlying spice
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Give this juice its breathing room, and be handsomely rewarded. Still one of the best Washington cab blends that I've ever had, and a fantastic value at $55. Decanted 2 hours & consumed over 7 hours. Was a bit closed until hour 3, but the intensity and complexity seemed to really ramp up between hours 4-7. Blackberry cobbler with cinnamon / ground ginger baking spices, bitter chocolate, and some permeating dustiness that displays a real sense of “place” and takes it to a whole new level. Still in its peek window which I suspect should last at least into 2015.
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Opened and left to breathe in the bottle for 3 hours. Consistent with previous TN from last December. This is a great Bordeaux blend that is in a great place right now. Shame this was my last bottle.
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This wine showcases the winemakers skills. Balanced, nuanced, gorgeous nose. Beautiful, deep flavors. This is Washington wine-making at its best. Or pretty darn close.
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Tasted in a flight with 2002, 2004 and 2005 Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard.) Difficult to tell the difference to the 2002 vintage. These wines are very similar in nose and palate. Nose reveals herbal tones, nice fruit. The end-palate is semi-long with a few years left before peaking. The overall impression is positive. Recommended. (Score is 93-94)
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Worthy of all of its accolades. One of my top five Washington reds of all time. Decanted 2 hours; showing its best bouquet between the 2 and 4 hour mark; and unveiling a silky smooth flavor bomb of Marion Berry pie at the 3 hour mark, followed up by a second wave of cinnamon & bitter sweet chocolate within the hour. Although the fruit stayed strong throughout the evening, the nose began to fall away after 4-5 hours of opening, leading me to believe that this is in the prime of its evolution. Recommend enjoying between 2011-2013 to get the most out of this NW gem.
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I had the 07 Champoux Vineyard and was blown away. Drinking the 03 was somehow on another level as the fruit was ripe and mature with still an amazing finish. I could have a new favorite wine. Wow!!
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Opened and left this bottle to breathe for about 3 hours. Drank beautifully. Consistent with recent TN's from myself and others. Highly polished wine which seems to be near its' peak. Beautiful nose of black and red fruits with notes of smoke and anise. Great fruit intensity with a nice complement of secondaries including chocolate, tobacco and graphite. Fresh and well balanced with a lush mouthfeel. Medium finish with just a hint a tannin still. Outstanding wine. Seems to be getting better so i will save my last bottle until next year.
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Superb. Nose of white chocolate, wet grass, anise, wood, smoke and minerals wrapped a core of sweet currant. Palate has a beam of fresh, sweet currant and raspberry, with notes of white chocolate, pepper, and minerals. Plush, yet with a solid tannic backbone. A pleasure.
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Violet edge and violet flavors. Rich and fruity without being jammy. Tannins are still present under all that fruit. Consistent with my previous ratings, but so pleasurable, I had to bump it to 93
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Goodbye to an old friend. This has been a favorite of my wife and I for the past several years. Have probably had 4 or 5 bottles over this time. Drank the last one tonight. For our palate is is slightly on the downhill side. The tannins have really receded but unfortunately they have taken much of the fruit with them. I think this was probably at its best a year or so ago. Very smooth but getting a little too much wood and some heat with not much else there. The nose shows hints of what was there a year or 2 ago. After 3 hours with it open the fruit has reemerged somewhat and overall the wine has improved. My initial thought was an 88 but will increase it to 90.
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Decanted 3 hours. Wonderful nose of cassis, plum and some licorice. very smooth and silky in the mouth with nice red and black fruit intensity. Notes of blackcurrant, black cherry and some dark chocolate. Very well balanced. Medium finish with smooth tannins. Probably does not need such a long decant at this stage. Can't rate this as highly as some others but it certainly falls into the 'Outstanding' category. Really solid effort from this consistent producer and represents an excellent value. Seems to have several more years or prime drinking ahead of it.
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Very tasty. Higher rating than my previous impression. Substantial fruit with violet edge. Tannins and acids show up, even at 24 hours, which suggests a couple years may show some upside. I gotta tell myself to wait 10 years on these Washington Cabs.
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Very good wine, but I can't rate it as high as everyone else (when compared with Delille, for example)... 90 pts is good, but no way is this 94 pts. Cherry, blackberry and vanilla, with a tannic edge. The vanilla and tannin suggest waiting a couple more years would be worthwhile.
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This is #1 or #2 on my all time list of Washington wines. This wine is Perfect. Complex and has a massive nose with a monster palate. It has a crazy Marion berry cobler cinnamon, clove mid with roasted coconut on the back. This is phenomenal. Waited 5 years to open my first of 3 bottles. It was well worth the wait.
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Amazingly light on its feet, yet complex, rich and incredibly silky; rich dark chocolate, plum, blackcurrant, all with a nice hint of cedar. Patience is rewarded!
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Big rich and hedonistic, but after the first glass oak fatigue sets in ...the nose ultimately ofers up little but oak and a bit of obscured black fruit - the palate is much better - rich cassis, cherry and berry, but also a whack of oak vanillin - decent length.
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Still young and a bit tight, but underneath is rich fruit,with the chocolate notes of the Merlot blending very well with the structure of the Cab. Delicious and very French in style... should be incredible in 6-12 months.
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Dark garnet color. Nose of black currants, iodine, sweet cherry, and plums. Palate of drenching red berry fruit and a gradually filling in of the midpalate with air. Tannins well-tamed but structured enough to anchor the fruit, and a hint of refreshing acidity. Moderately short finish. Very excellent, stylish wine tasted early in its drinking window, with lots of upside. Wait about 3 more years to see if it has peaked.
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Moderately expressive nose, with rich, velvety moutfeel and nicely integrated tanins benefited from about 2 hours decanted. Long delcious finish. This has lots more shelf life remaining but why wait-- this wine is drinking very nicely at the present time!
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Drank with Rich & Rae after a Keenan '97 Cab; papardelle bolognese for dinner. This wine is developing nicely; I didn't think it could get bigger, but it has. Nose is unbelivably complex & has a real 'wow' factor to it; tons of fruit with a wonderful lingering finish. Pop & pour, didn't decant; delicious right out of the gate all the way to the end. Would guess that this will peak in the next two years, since the initial tannins have subsided somewhat. The more '03 Washington reds I drink, the more I love this vintage...certainly better than the '04's and overhyped '05's I've had.
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deep red/garnet color; cherry, fruity nose with ?violets; full rich berry, with slight tobacco/vanilla palate notes with a long finish with soft tannins nicely balanced; maybe a slight alcohol note to the nose
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Drank side by side with '03 AW Ciel du Cheval. Being the third time I've drank this wine, I'm still "wowed" by it. It's incredibly rich yet balanced...lots of cab fruit, with the CF and Merlot still apparent. The use of 5% Petit Verdot works well with this wine and helps to add some depth to the CS; a terrific finish. Don't think one's going to go the aging distance next to the Ciel du Cheval, since the tannins have already started to soften right out of the gate.
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As good (actually better) than I remember from my first tastings near to its release. I dark plum, young with with great full bodied texture and flavor. Deep and complex, and delightful wine with rich fruit flavors and a satisfyingly long finish. a real winner that should continue to improves over the next couple of years. I real winner, and one that shows the Cabernet that WA is capable of producing.
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Impeccably well balanced for such concentration. Right-bankish, smooth, dark fruit, and some earth on the back. Lots of life left and curious about its development. Still, it confirms my preference for Bordeaux terroir.
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Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of mocha, vanilla and blueberries. Flavors of blueberries and black berries. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold.
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My initial thoughts on this are that it's a bit hot, esp. in comparison to the Merlot blend of the Ciel du Cheval, which is definitely my preference at this point.
Otherwise, both wines are excellent and a very good example of the quality of the 2003 WA wines. I think this vintage might eventually prove to be the best vintage in the last decade.
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Wow -- smooth, but firm, refined and had a nice "edge" to it. Very elegant and well balanced with no flavors that seem to stick out, but a polished, glassiness that went very well with beef.
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This wine has confirmed Andrew Will as a signature wine of Washington State - easily surpassing the old guard, Leonetti and Woodward. Huge fruit with fine, elegant tannins. It has lush, dark flavors, including chocolate(!), berry, tar & charcoal. Paired with a pan seared fillet, we thought it was perfect. This is the first year Andrew Will is allocating their wine. You're lucky if you can get it. Maturing in 10-15 years.
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Andrew Will tasting. Wow. The nose is dark and brooding with loads of fruit and coconut. The palate is lush and thick with plenty of dark fruit and tannins. I just love the mouthfeel. Buy.
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3/4/2020 - JGinMO wrote: 93 Points
for bday girl. has a lovely soft structure to it and the fruit transitioned from blue to red after 30 mins in glass. paired great with food.
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12/14/2019 - bablues wrote: 95 Points
9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. My fav of all the Andrew Will wines. The fruit that is bursting out is wonderful and it doesn't seem to ever fade. This is my eighth bottled of the 03 that I have opened and still have two left. Pound for pound (and dollar for dollar), one of the best wines of the universe
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11/10/2019 - JGinMO wrote: 92 Points
Lots of sweet tannins, good acidity, doesn’t feel over the hill, but also not sure there’s much room to improve.
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12/25/2017 - Doc90 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Expressive nose of cinnamon stick, plum pudding, summer woods, and boysenberry. Cinnamon stick and clove up front, savory sweet red fruit. Excellent Bordeaux-quality acidity. Energizing. I love the Champoux bottling from Andrew Will.
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4/10/2017 - SpoochMan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last of my bottles. Brought to Edibles for dinner with speaker. Lively red fruit, good acidity, some subtle spice notes. Still pretty youthful tasting overall. For me, this was edged out by the '02 Conn Valley Eloge, although both were good.
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2/21/2017 - bablues wrote: 95 Points
Had this many times over the years. Not much changed and this is still my go to wine and vintage. i have a ten year vertical of Champoux and the 2003 is always the standout. Have two left and there is no hurry to drink as this will hold for another 5+ years
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12/5/2015 - bablues wrote: 94 Points
Annual Christmas Wine Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Didn't take detailed notes. Part of Christmas wine dinner and cellar raid. One of my favorites from AW. The 2003 is still drinking great and I don't think there is a better vintage than this one
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9/2/2015 - mulder Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great wine. I was amazed at the beauty of this wine if I had it blind I would have thought this was a top quality bordeaux. Beautiful dark fruit of cassis, plums, blackberry with some dried herb. Great extract without being over the top and enough acidity that made this terrific with food. Top notch from WA state.
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6/12/2015 - Bluffan wrote: 92 Points
Birthday wine. Very nice, but definitely drink up.
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12/6/2014 - bablues wrote: 94 Points
Didn't take detailed notes. Drank from Magnum. Drank the 2003 Champoux many times and is one of my all time fav's. This was no different and has plenty of time to go. Will track the next three over many years
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11/15/2014 - jsherdc wrote:
Finished off a bottle that I had tried previously with a coravin. The cork was moist, and fell apart. The wine had a slightly stinky smell which blew away. The wine was good, but tasted slightly cooked. It was much better the first time.
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9/25/2014 - jsherdc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Muscular. Heavenly smell of lightly toasted oak, and berries. dusty blackberry initially and a slightly oaky kirschy finish. Mostly balanced.
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9/22/2014 - mye wrote:
Dark red color. Nose had some burnt sugar that blew off.. A hint of heat, with intense dark fruit nose. On the palate however, the fruit is missing, with acidity dominating. Feels like it's past it's prime. I would drink up.
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8/18/2014 - SpoochMan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brought to Kevin's. Consistent with previous note. Another beautiful bottle of this. Vibrant fruit and acidity. One left. Wish I had bought more.
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7/1/2014 - Easter Everywhere Likes this wine:
classic Bordeaux, earth and clay, green, bit big and hot, else good
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6/5/2014 - SpoochMan Likes this wine: 94 Points
My first AW wine. Wow -- really good! There was plenty of lively WA fruit here along with a velvety texture and great acidity that kept the wine feeling fresh and energetic and good with food. This is not restrained, but it has beautiful balance. All of the parts fit together seamlessly. Have 2 more and no hurry to drink them, but they are great now. Terrific wine making here.
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12/14/2013 - bablues wrote: 95 Points
2013 Christmas Wine Dinner (Naperville, IL): Last of the six bottle vertical and as always the best of best from AW. Still have plenty left and will buy more when they are available.
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10/26/2013 - Stirling Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding. Beautiful nose of plums and cassis. Gorgeous texture, nice earthy notes add to the blackberry/blueberry fruit. Despite notes below I think this has plenty of life left (so did the Sommelier who tried some). One of the great from WA State.
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9/10/2013 - bablues wrote: 94 Points
Still drinking very well. Fruit is bursting from the glass but the tannins are much more in check and the finish isn't quite as strong as it once was. Still have 4 bottles plus a magnum so need to consider drinking sooner than anticipated.
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7/28/2013 - JGinMO wrote: 91 Points
this drank really nice on opening, but then seemed to fade quickly. In the end I really enjoyed it, but felt like it drank older than it is, more like a 15 year old bordeaux
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3/22/2013 - f22nickell Likes this wine: 92 Points
Man this is some good stuff. In its prime, but feels like its nearing the end though. I have one more bottle, need to drink it up soon.
Smells of cocoa and old leather books. Just a hint of blue fruit to give depth. On the palate, tannins are fully integrated, very refined and soft,. Tastes of plum on the attack, mild tannins carry the middle, and just enough acid to tie the back end so it doesn't get flabby. Long finish that fades ever so slowly.
Really good stuff.
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2/17/2013 - JGinMO wrote: 94 Points
Really showing well, the tannins have mellowed and integrated, but there's still plenty of body, there's a hint of acid on the end, long linger. very exciting wine.
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10/26/2012 - dekay Likes this wine: 93 Points
Showing well. 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet France, 15% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Deep cassis with a bright red edge, smoke and a bit of pepper. Ripe but not overwhelming fruit with nice depth and layers, lightly tart and dusty tannins. Long smokey, earthy finish with bitter cacao.
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10/9/2012 - Bakek wrote: 94 Points
This is drinking very well. Still has a beautiful nose filled with berries, but the alcohol has settled down and it has a nice balanced mouthfeel. Wished it had a better finish.
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6/1/2012 - Easter Everywhere wrote:
Classic, cassis, cedar, some earth, toast
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5/7/2012 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Rich, delicious Bordeaux blend
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3/13/2012 - EMichels wrote: 94 Points
Intoxicating nose (the good way) - caramel, smoke and fog with depth; Body follows through; Great depth; Nice body; Great balance - like a tipping point at the back of my throat; Shows a bit ripe; I would hold this a long time; Nice underlying spice
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3/11/2012 - pinothoarder wrote: 94 Points
Give this juice its breathing room, and be handsomely rewarded. Still one of the best Washington cab blends that I've ever had, and a fantastic value at $55.
Decanted 2 hours & consumed over 7 hours. Was a bit closed until hour 3, but the intensity and complexity seemed to really ramp up between hours 4-7. Blackberry cobbler with cinnamon / ground ginger baking spices, bitter chocolate, and some permeating dustiness that displays a real sense of “place” and takes it to a whole new level. Still in its peek window which I suspect should last at least into 2015.
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1/14/2012 - bablues wrote: 96 Points
Still one of the best wines I have had the pleasure to drink. The fruit is bursting from the glass.. Hard to explain.
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6/16/2011 - Yamadori wrote: 92 Points
Opened and left to breathe in the bottle for 3 hours. Consistent with previous TN from last December. This is a great Bordeaux blend that is in a great place right now. Shame this was my last bottle.
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6/12/2011 - randyjc wrote: 94 Points
This wine showcases the winemakers skills. Balanced, nuanced, gorgeous nose. Beautiful, deep flavors. This is Washington wine-making at its best. Or pretty darn close.
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3/17/2011 - Christoffer78 wrote: 93 Points
Tasted in a flight with 2002, 2004 and 2005 Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard.) Difficult to tell the difference to the 2002 vintage. These wines are very similar in nose and palate. Nose reveals herbal tones, nice fruit. The end-palate is semi-long with a few years left before peaking. The overall impression is positive. Recommended. (Score is 93-94)
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2/9/2011 - mathwonk wrote:
superb. really smooth and delicious, silken. even our Italian guest was impressed.
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2/4/2011 - pinothoarder wrote: 94 Points
Worthy of all of its accolades. One of my top five Washington reds of all time. Decanted 2 hours; showing its best bouquet between the 2 and 4 hour mark; and unveiling a silky smooth flavor bomb of Marion Berry pie at the 3 hour mark, followed up by a second wave of cinnamon & bitter sweet chocolate within the hour. Although the fruit stayed strong throughout the evening, the nose began to fall away after 4-5 hours of opening, leading me to believe that this is in the prime of its evolution. Recommend enjoying between 2011-2013 to get the most out of this NW gem.
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1/16/2011 - iamandyc wrote: 91 Points
Well integrated wine. Plum notes. Nice acid remaining. Good secondary notes and finish.
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12/31/2010 - jimmyrice14 wrote: 94 Points
Stunning.
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12/26/2010 - bablues wrote: 96 Points
I had the 07 Champoux Vineyard and was blown away. Drinking the 03 was somehow on another level as the fruit was ripe and mature with still an amazing finish. I could have a new favorite wine. Wow!!
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12/11/2010 - Yamadori Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened and left this bottle to breathe for about 3 hours. Drank beautifully. Consistent with recent TN's from myself and others. Highly polished wine which seems to be near its' peak. Beautiful nose of black and red fruits with notes of smoke and anise. Great fruit intensity with a nice complement of secondaries including chocolate, tobacco and graphite. Fresh and well balanced with a lush mouthfeel. Medium finish with just a hint a tannin still. Outstanding wine. Seems to be getting better so i will save my last bottle until next year.
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11/18/2010 - jimmyrice14 wrote: 94 Points
Terrific...opened up right away...huge fruit...classic AW blend..well balanced, smooth tannins.
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10/17/2010 - JOJ wrote: 94 Points
Superb. Nose of white chocolate, wet grass, anise, wood, smoke and minerals wrapped a core of sweet currant. Palate has a beam of fresh, sweet currant and raspberry, with notes of white chocolate, pepper, and minerals. Plush, yet with a solid tannic backbone. A pleasure.
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10/11/2010 - ParkHill wrote: 93 Points
Violet edge and violet flavors. Rich and fruity without being jammy. Tannins are still present under all that fruit. Consistent with my previous ratings, but so pleasurable, I had to bump it to 93
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10/1/2010 - WaWineFan in TX wrote: 90 Points
Goodbye to an old friend. This has been a favorite of my wife and I for the past several years. Have probably had 4 or 5 bottles over this time. Drank the last one tonight. For our palate is is slightly on the downhill side. The tannins have really receded but unfortunately they have taken much of the fruit with them. I think this was probably at its best a year or so ago. Very smooth but getting a little too much wood and some heat with not much else there. The nose shows hints of what was there a year or 2 ago. After 3 hours with it open the fruit has reemerged somewhat and overall the wine has improved. My initial thought was an 88 but will increase it to 90.
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7/31/2010 - Yamadori wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 3 hours. Wonderful nose of cassis, plum and some licorice. very smooth and silky in the mouth with nice red and black fruit intensity. Notes of blackcurrant, black cherry and some dark chocolate. Very well balanced. Medium finish with smooth tannins. Probably does not need such a long decant at this stage. Can't rate this as highly as some others but it certainly falls into the 'Outstanding' category. Really solid effort from this consistent producer and represents an excellent value. Seems to have several more years or prime drinking ahead of it.
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7/6/2010 - ParkHill wrote: 92 Points
Very tasty. Higher rating than my previous impression. Substantial fruit with violet edge. Tannins and acids show up, even at 24 hours, which suggests a couple years may show some upside. I gotta tell myself to wait 10 years on these Washington Cabs.
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5/13/2010 - ParkHill wrote: 90 Points
Very good wine, but I can't rate it as high as everyone else (when compared with Delille, for example)... 90 pts is good, but no way is this 94 pts. Cherry, blackberry and vanilla, with a tannic edge. The vanilla and tannin suggest waiting a couple more years would be worthwhile.
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1/22/2010 - JohnnyBark wrote: 96 Points
This is #1 or #2 on my all time list of Washington wines. This wine is Perfect. Complex and has a massive nose with a monster palate. It has a crazy Marion berry cobler cinnamon, clove mid with roasted coconut on the back. This is phenomenal. Waited 5 years to open my first of 3 bottles. It was well worth the wait.
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12/9/2009 - jimmyrice14 wrote: 94 Points
Great right out of the bottle...big fruit, great structure, blackberry and cherry...drinking like a champ.
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11/4/2009 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
What an excellent French Claret should taste like, but often doesn't!
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10/26/2009 - sdatl wrote: 95 Points
Amazingly light on its feet, yet complex, rich and incredibly silky; rich dark chocolate, plum, blackcurrant, all with a nice hint of cedar. Patience is rewarded!
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9/26/2009 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Excellent Bordeaux blend from Washington. Cab Franc prominent.
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9/24/2009 - winot wrote: 88 Points
Big rich and hedonistic, but after the first glass oak fatigue sets in ...the nose ultimately ofers up little but oak and a bit of obscured black fruit - the palate is much better - rich cassis, cherry and berry, but also a whack of oak vanillin - decent length.
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12/30/2008 - AtlantaBill wrote: 91 Points
Aroma of dark fruit, blackberry, and eraser. Flavor of blackberries. Well integrated tannins. Long, clean finish.
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12/19/2008 - sdatl wrote: 93 Points
Still young and a bit tight, but underneath is rich fruit,with the chocolate notes of the Merlot blending very well with the structure of the Cab. Delicious and very French in style... should be incredible in 6-12 months.
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9/21/2008 - fredmartens wrote: 93 Points
Nose still fantastic, seems to drink better every time I open one.
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6/7/2008 - DougLee wrote: 92 Points
Dark garnet color. Nose of black currants, iodine, sweet cherry, and plums. Palate of drenching red berry fruit and a gradually filling in of the midpalate with air. Tannins well-tamed but structured enough to anchor the fruit, and a hint of refreshing acidity. Moderately short finish. Very excellent, stylish wine tasted early in its drinking window, with lots of upside. Wait about 3 more years to see if it has peaked.
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2/25/2008 - bwr wrote: 94 Points
red color, great wine, nice tannins that are smooth and integrated.
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2/20/2008 - kennyg wrote: 94 Points
Moderately expressive nose, with rich, velvety moutfeel and nicely integrated tanins benefited from about 2 hours decanted. Long delcious finish. This has lots more shelf life remaining but why wait-- this wine is drinking very nicely at the present time!
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1/16/2008 - fredmartens wrote: 93 Points
Drank with Rich & Rae after a Keenan '97 Cab; papardelle bolognese for dinner. This wine is developing nicely; I didn't think it could get bigger, but it has. Nose is unbelivably complex & has a real 'wow' factor to it; tons of fruit with a wonderful lingering finish. Pop & pour, didn't decant; delicious right out of the gate all the way to the end. Would guess that this will peak in the next two years, since the initial tannins have subsided somewhat. The more '03 Washington reds I drink, the more I love this vintage...certainly better than the '04's and overhyped '05's I've had.
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12/21/2007 - bwr wrote: 95 Points
deep red/garnet color; cherry, fruity nose with ?violets; full rich berry, with slight tobacco/vanilla palate notes with a long finish with soft tannins nicely balanced; maybe a slight alcohol note to the nose
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11/22/2007 - fredmartens wrote: 93 Points
Drank side by side with '03 AW Ciel du Cheval. Being the third time I've drank this wine, I'm still "wowed" by it. It's incredibly rich yet balanced...lots of cab fruit, with the CF and Merlot still apparent. The use of 5% Petit Verdot works well with this wine and helps to add some depth to the CS; a terrific finish. Don't think one's going to go the aging distance next to the Ciel du Cheval, since the tannins have already started to soften right out of the gate.
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11/1/2007 - pinotwinelover wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful wine that shines best with a bit of air time. When that happens wow.
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7/16/2007 - ewsds wrote: 94 Points
As good (actually better) than I remember from my first tastings near to its release. I dark plum, young with with great full bodied texture and flavor. Deep and complex, and delightful wine with rich fruit flavors and a satisfyingly long finish. a real winner that should continue to improves over the next couple of years. I real winner, and one that shows the Cabernet that WA is capable of producing.
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5/11/2007 - danibus wrote: 91 Points
Impeccably well balanced for such concentration. Right-bankish, smooth, dark fruit, and some earth on the back. Lots of life left and curious about its development. Still, it confirms my preference for Bordeaux terroir.
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4/21/2007 - win wrote: 90 Points
Tasted at large dinner party. Minimal notes. 88 - 91
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4/21/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
Dallas Offline - April 2007 (MikeB's house in North Dallas, TX): WIML92,WA93,NOWS
Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of mocha, vanilla and blueberries. Flavors of blueberries and black berries. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold.
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8/26/2006 - jrglm wrote:
Very, very nice. Opened up well over a one hour period.
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6/3/2006 - ml wrote:
My initial thoughts on this are that it's a bit hot, esp. in comparison to the Merlot blend of the Ciel du Cheval, which is definitely my preference at this point.
Otherwise, both wines are excellent and a very good example of the quality of the 2003 WA wines. I think this vintage might eventually prove to be the best vintage in the last decade.
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5/18/2006 - Eric wrote: 93 Points
Realm 2004 release tasting at Kaspar's (Seattle, WA): Really fresh acidity. Impressive showing.
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5/18/2006 - DFC wrote: 92 Points
Brightly acidic red berry fruit ending in a very long 30-second finish.
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2/18/2006 - sdatl wrote: 93 Points
Wow -- smooth, but firm, refined and had a nice "edge" to it. Very elegant and well balanced with no flavors that seem to stick out, but a polished, glassiness that went very well with beef.
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12/27/2005 - tsutton wrote: 93 Points
Mmmm good stuff. Lush mouth feel, nicely integrated tannins, very smooth and velvety. A wine that is very well integrated.
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10/6/2005 - T&A wrote: 95 Points
This wine has confirmed Andrew Will as a signature wine of Washington State - easily surpassing the old guard, Leonetti and Woodward. Huge fruit with fine, elegant tannins. It has lush, dark flavors, including chocolate(!), berry, tar & charcoal. Paired with a pan seared fillet, we thought it was perfect. This is the first year Andrew Will is allocating their wine. You're lucky if you can get it. Maturing in 10-15 years.
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5/22/2004 - Jason wrote: 93 Points
Andrew Will tasting. Wow. The nose is dark and brooding with loads of fruit and coconut. The palate is lush and thick with plenty of dark fruit and tannins. I just love the mouthfeel. Buy.
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