Deep ruby Initial opening dark red fruit, light oak fine tannins that coated the tongue on initial finish but quickly faded with pleasant hints of rose and dark cherry. Decanted for 4 hrs in the cellar at 55. Poured back in the bottle and brought to room temp ( diner and 6 other reds) Nose with big red fruit subtle vanilla, hints of cedar At one point over the 3 hr dinner the nose held but fruit disappeared with some graphite noted, fruit on palate returned with a bang. Some of the other wines had a more interesting nose but this was in my top 2 of the night. 4oz in bottle-fridge 24 hrs then brought back to room temp Color darker ruby Medium full body but definitely lighter than some Bordeaux blends Fresh dark cherry nose with plum undertones of rose and cedar Palate- integrated tannins with cherry and plum and pomegranate hints of graphite light astringency on finish that fades to fruit One last comment-this wine was perfectly priced.
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My favorite in a blind tasting of ten 2015 Bordeaux blends Tremendous power and balance. Massive fruit persists despite considerable ripe tannins. Has the stuffing and proper proportion to improve for at least a decade. 95+
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A nose of some dark fruit and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied red blend, with black cherry, plum, licorice and some herbs on spiced finish, still young, needs a decant. www.winelx.com
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1 hr air. Similar notes to last time. A little more depth and an edge of tar and maybe graphite that I didn’t notice before. A very nice WA cab, worth seeking out for more.
Score: 92. Relative to expectations: ++
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Opened 3 hours before the party but didn't decant because it seems ready to go on sampling. I was amazed by how much weight this put on over the course of the evening. 16 people and no one guessed this was a Bordeaux blend from Washington state, but everyone liked it. My first bottles from andrew will and I would definitely buy again. Consumed 18 bottles of wine in all so my memory is pretty fuzzy on details! LOL
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Popped and poured over about 5 hours, but of sediment at the end. Started off brambly with some vanilla, after an hour or two the vanilla was gone and this was all fruit, mainly blackberry and cassis but it did change a little over time getting floral and red fruited at various times. Slightly tannic, nice acidity has a moderately dense mouthfeel with a long finish. This was my first Andrew will and I enjoyed it a lot as did my wife, iver heard it compared to Bordeaux while I think it was more fruit forward and not as tannic but it was definitely distinct from California cabs. Overall it’s its own wine. Overall nice, will try to sit on my others for another 10 years.
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It’s hard not to be disappointed in this wine I love Sorella and have tasted (and own) a dozen or more vintages. This is baffling. Nice mouth feel and bright red fruit and then it’s SO hot and alcoholic as to be nearly intolerable. My only solution is to just let is lay for years and see if this crazy alcohol disappears. I so wanted this to be fabulous. It’s not. UPDATE: This really needs a day two note because the wine changed so dramatically. It went from being aggressively hot to spicy trending to a bit hot. But the flavors have emerged and the wine is smooth and soft and entirely wonderful. Day two - scored 92. Nice stuff. But the first day score remains where I marked it. Next time I pull this out I’ll decant it in the morning.
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This wine took about 2 hours to open up. In terms of overall quality, it's certainly one of the better offerings under $100. Fruit forward without being overly extracted. Medium complexity.
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Pop n pour, and into inadequate stemware. So rating is conservative. Blackberry/black cherry, burning peat, some spice, loads of fine tannins. There is incipient complexity coming into this that circumstances did not allow me to explore more. I really hope to try this again in about 5yrs with proper glasses. Surprising quality. Score: 92-94. Relative to expectations: ++
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The likely reason there is debate over the price point might be due to attaining sheer and undeniable quality in $$ and not $$$. Buyers get giddy and forget this is a 150usd wine at 90usd marketplace. Get over it and remember the wine industry is billions usd and have every angle covered. Suffice to say, this is one helluva deal for under 100usd.
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I don't know what people who criticize the price point are comparing to, but I would like to know, as I am having trouble doing better for less. This is $83, admittedly high. But in comparison to a $60 stags leap artemis 2018, a $55 jacob hart's vineyard rex hill pinot noir 2017, or a $50 frog's leap rutherford vineyard cab sav 2017, or a $35 montecillo gran reserve rioja 2010, this is much more impressive and disappears much more quickly. delightful, but obviously young. Maybe the critics are right,and perhaps the price point perhaps should be around $72. Unfortunately the French cabs I used to prefer at this point are currently over $100 (in the US) with the artificial tariff enhancement.
8-2021 still enjoying this, the main complaint from locals on it is they cannot find any!
8-2022: now in 2022, both the artemis and the rex hill have gone up to $75 and the sorella is still about $80.
Very dark red. Good nose with some menthol. Not terribly complex at this young age. On the palate the wine is a bit herbal and weedy for my taste, but also sports red berry fruit. High-toned. Decent finish. At the price I wouldn't buy again. 5-11-15-8: 89/100.
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No numerical rating offered; as I believe the wine is painfully young at this juncture. One can sense that the components and stuffing are all there and should blossom given 7-8 years.
Redolent nose of dark cherry, earth, menthol, persimmon, and purple flowers. Somewhat linear on the palate due to its young age; albeit with power and finesse. Just lay these down and forget them for a while.
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This was quite excellent, deep, powerful and extended, nicely structured. I think I slightly prefer the '14 though which was a hint more attractive, elegant and open. In five years this might have the edge though as there is more power here.
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Decanted for three hours. This is so giving, and yet respectively restrained. Boysenberry, currant paste, Chinese five spice, black cherry, pan grille and terra cotta, with a touch of sultana. Savory, yet the layered, microfiber tannins offer so much with this complex, full-bodied wonder. Exciting, and long, with uniqueness and a sexiness as well. Possibly my favorite Andrew Will yet. This will age exceptionally well. Drink 2023 -.
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This was a big boy, dark fruit, we under decanted, be warned, this needs it. A lot of promise showed on this under planned wine (on our part and didn't decant enough)
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The nose was explosive at this youthful stage, showing ripe, spicy red fruits, with bright florals, sweet herbs and smoky mineral tones. On the palate, I found silky textures, offset by zesty tart red fruit and spice, as vibrant acidity and minerals cascaded across the senses. The finish was long, saturating the senses in dark red fruits, with a mix of cheek-puckering acids, fine tannin and lingering sweet spice. It’s a big wine, but hard not to like.
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10/29/2023 - Mdog Likes this wine: 94 Points
85% Cab Sav,6%Merlot,6%Cab Franc,3%petit verdot 14.5%
Deep ruby
Initial opening dark red fruit, light oak fine tannins that coated the tongue on initial finish but quickly faded with pleasant hints of rose and dark cherry. Decanted for 4 hrs in the cellar at 55. Poured back in the bottle and brought to room temp ( diner and 6 other reds)
Nose with big red fruit subtle vanilla, hints of cedar
At one point over the 3 hr dinner the nose held but fruit disappeared with some graphite noted, fruit on palate returned with a bang. Some of the other wines had a more interesting nose but this was in my top 2 of the night.
4oz in bottle-fridge 24 hrs then brought back to room temp
Color darker ruby
Medium full body but definitely lighter than some Bordeaux blends
Fresh dark cherry nose with plum undertones of rose and cedar
Palate- integrated tannins with cherry and plum and pomegranate hints of graphite light astringency on finish that fades to fruit
One last comment-this wine was perfectly priced.
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8/26/2023 - PDXinSEA wrote: 95 Points
My favorite in a blind tasting of ten 2015 Bordeaux blends
Tremendous power and balance. Massive fruit persists despite considerable ripe tannins. Has the stuffing and proper proportion to improve for at least a decade. 95+
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7/5/2023 - corkscrews Likes this wine: 92 Points
A nose of some dark fruit and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied red blend, with black cherry, plum, licorice and some herbs on spiced finish, still young, needs a decant. www.winelx.com
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5/14/2023 - JJYoyo wrote: 92 Points
1 hr air. Similar notes to last time. A little more depth and an edge of tar and maybe graphite that I didn’t notice before. A very nice WA cab, worth seeking out for more.
Score: 92. Relative to expectations: ++
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4/9/2023 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened 3 hours before the party but didn't decant because it seems ready to go on sampling. I was amazed by how much weight this put on over the course of the evening. 16 people and no one guessed this was a Bordeaux blend from Washington state, but everyone liked it. My first bottles from andrew will and I would definitely buy again. Consumed 18 bottles of wine in all so my memory is pretty fuzzy on details! LOL
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2/13/2023 - Teaky Likes this wine:
Popped and poured over about 5 hours, but of sediment at the end. Started off brambly with some vanilla, after an hour or two the vanilla was gone and this was all fruit, mainly blackberry and cassis but it did change a little over time getting floral and red fruited at various times. Slightly tannic, nice acidity has a moderately dense mouthfeel with a long finish. This was my first Andrew will and I enjoyed it a lot as did my wife, iver heard it compared to Bordeaux while I think it was more fruit forward and not as tannic but it was definitely distinct from California cabs. Overall it’s its own wine. Overall nice, will try to sit on my others for another 10 years.
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11/30/2022 - EvanRose Likes this wine: 93 Points
As good a wine as ive had all year. Layers of rich dark fruit with great body and soft yet well defined tannins. Long luxurious finish
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8/24/2022 - jpwines Likes this wine: 95 Points
Really enjoyed this wine--soft tannins, red fruits--got to buy more
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6/19/2022 - randyjc wrote: 87 Points
It’s hard not to be disappointed in this wine I love Sorella and have tasted (and own) a dozen or more vintages. This is baffling. Nice mouth feel and bright red fruit and then it’s SO hot and alcoholic as to be nearly intolerable. My only solution is to just let is lay for years and see if this crazy alcohol disappears. I so wanted this to be fabulous. It’s not.
UPDATE: This really needs a day two note because the wine changed so dramatically. It went from being aggressively hot to spicy trending to a bit hot. But the flavors have emerged and the wine is smooth and soft and entirely wonderful. Day two - scored 92. Nice stuff. But the first day score remains where I marked it. Next time I pull this out I’ll decant it in the morning.
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4/10/2022 - KTelaak_Buffalo Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine took about 2 hours to open up. In terms of overall quality, it's certainly one of the better offerings under $100. Fruit forward without being overly extracted. Medium complexity.
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3/31/2022 - JGinMO wrote: 91 Points
Incredibly young and fruit forward at this time. PNP at restaurant so not entirely fair. Wait a few years.
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7/15/2021 - JJYoyo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pop n pour, and into inadequate stemware. So rating is conservative. Blackberry/black cherry, burning peat, some spice, loads of fine tannins. There is incipient complexity coming into this that circumstances did not allow me to explore more. I really hope to try this again in about 5yrs with proper glasses. Surprising quality.
Score: 92-94. Relative to expectations: ++
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4/25/2021 - Xer90 wrote: 94 Points
The likely reason there is debate over the price point might be due to attaining sheer and undeniable quality in $$ and not $$$. Buyers get giddy and forget this is a 150usd wine at 90usd marketplace. Get over it and remember the wine industry is billions usd and have every angle covered. Suffice to say, this is one helluva deal for under 100usd.
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3/5/2021 - Sfflyer123 wrote: 93 Points
This is an outstanding wine. It has complexity, balanced fruit, soft tannins, medium acidity, and very nice finish. It is a delightful wine. 93 points
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2/14/2021 - mathwonk wrote:
I don't know what people who criticize the price point are comparing to, but I would like to know, as I am having trouble doing better for less. This is $83, admittedly high. But in comparison to a $60 stags leap artemis 2018, a $55 jacob hart's vineyard rex hill pinot noir 2017, or a $50 frog's leap rutherford vineyard cab sav 2017, or a $35 montecillo gran reserve rioja 2010, this is much more impressive and disappears much more quickly. delightful, but obviously young. Maybe the critics are right,and perhaps the price point perhaps should be around $72. Unfortunately the French cabs I used to prefer at this point are currently over $100 (in the US) with the artificial tariff enhancement.
8-2021 still enjoying this, the main complaint from locals on it is they cannot find any!
8-2022: now in 2022, both the artemis and the rex hill have gone up to $75 and the sorella is still about $80.
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2/5/2021 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very dark red. Good nose with some menthol. Not terribly complex at this young age. On the palate the wine is a bit herbal and weedy for my taste, but also sports red berry fruit. High-toned. Decent finish. At the price I wouldn't buy again. 5-11-15-8: 89/100.
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1/10/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:
No numerical rating offered; as I believe the wine is painfully young at this juncture. One can sense that the components and stuffing are all there and should blossom given 7-8 years.
Redolent nose of dark cherry, earth, menthol, persimmon, and purple flowers. Somewhat linear on the palate due to its young age; albeit with power and finesse. Just lay these down and forget them for a while.
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12/10/2020 - Donnyhead wrote:
Sold to Tracy Bennett at cost.
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11/16/2020 - John McCabe wrote: 94 Points
This was quite excellent, deep, powerful and extended, nicely structured. I think I slightly prefer the '14 though which was a hint more attractive, elegant and open. In five years this might have the edge though as there is more power here.
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11/5/2020 - joshabramson wrote: 94 Points
Inky purple, ripe, big & young. Solid wine for what it is.
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10/25/2020 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very good, but I think it will benefit from another year of bottle age.
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10/16/2020 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for three hours. This is so giving, and yet respectively restrained. Boysenberry, currant paste, Chinese five spice, black cherry, pan grille and terra cotta, with a touch of sultana. Savory, yet the layered, microfiber tannins offer so much with this complex, full-bodied wonder. Exciting, and long, with uniqueness and a sexiness as well. Possibly my favorite Andrew Will yet. This will age exceptionally well. Drink 2023 -.
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8/4/2020 - familydoc wrote:
This was a big boy, dark fruit, we under decanted, be warned, this needs it. A lot of promise showed on this under planned wine (on our part and didn't decant enough)
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12/25/2019 - jgreco wrote: flawed
Corked
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10/19/2019 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 94 Points
The nose was explosive at this youthful stage, showing ripe, spicy red fruits, with bright florals, sweet herbs and smoky mineral tones. On the palate, I found silky textures, offset by zesty tart red fruit and spice, as vibrant acidity and minerals cascaded across the senses. The finish was long, saturating the senses in dark red fruits, with a mix of cheek-puckering acids, fine tannin and lingering sweet spice. It’s a big wine, but hard not to like.
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8/25/2018 - AB16 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wonderful balanced wine.
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