Showing the elegant side of Washington, Ben Smith is the founder of Cadence Winery which is one of the inspired winery projects of the Pacific Northwest. I had a chance to interview Ben a year ago as he began his wine journey with the famed Boeing Wine Club and then learned about making wine by producing his own beer and wine more than 20 years ago. Cadence has been known for crafting wines that embody the Bordelaise side of Red Mountain. Red Mountain is obviously a hot site but Ben has a knack for showing a great sense of minerality even in the hot vintages. His new releases from the warm, 2016 vintage is no exception.
I loved the new 2016 releases from Cadence. These are some of the most elegant, age-worthy wines that I have seen so far from 2016. I have found that many Cadence wines cellar well for ten to fifteen years as I have recently enjoyed their wines from both the 2005 and 2007 vintages — both warm vintages that still shine brightly with a brilliant sense of tension that runs through the core of the wine. For an outstanding value look to their 2017 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine (WWB, 91) which has really good richness, minerality and viscosity considering its price point. I absolutely loved the 2016 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Cabernet Franc (WWB, 94) which is one of the better Washington Cabernet Franc wines I have tried all year. This silky wine is drinking marvelously in its youth but will cellar well for decades. Learn more about these outstanding wines at http://cadencewinery.com Here are the beautiful new wines of Cadence.
2017 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine- A blend of 45% Merlot with equal parts Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot, the 2017 ‘Coda’ is a fantastic value effort by superstar winemaker Ben Smith. The bright red fruits from the Merlot are currently shining most brightly, as herbal tones also play second fiddle aromatically. The palate is dense, chewy, bright and downright delicious, as a slight salinity runs through the core of red and dark fruits, with a dusting of cocoa powder. Drink 2019-2025- 91
2016 Cadence ‘Camerata’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the ‘Cara Mia Vineyard’ on Red Mountain, the ‘Camerata’ is a delightful blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. Needing a two hour decant to be fully aroused, the wine is awakened to slowly unveiling bright red fruits, pipe tobacco, lavender and suggestions of red bell pepper on this expressive nose. The palate has wonderful verve and richness, reveling in ripe red fruits, leather, sweet pipe tobacco and red bell pepper. This is sensational in its youth and will continue to impress for at least another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2019-2033- 93
2016 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Cabernet Franc- A blend of largely Cabernet Franc (82%) with smaller portions Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2016 ‘Bel Canto’ is a spectacular effort that really shows both great richness and restraint from this warm vintage on Red Mountain. The wine needs a two hour decant to be fully expressive. Tar and deep dark fruits mingle with the herbal tones on the nose. The palate has a Bordelaise, Right Bank feel, delivering bright red fruits with chocolate and sagebrush undertones. Utterly fantastic in its youth, this expressive effort will cellar well for the next two decades. Drink 2019-2038- 94
2016 Cadence ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ Red Wine- An intriguing blend of nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ opens with a bright bouquet of red currant jelly with milk chocolate, thyme and suggestions of red bell pepper that all take their shape in the glass. The freshness and balance is marvelous here, as this highly poised effort unveils ripe red and dark fruits that collide with the bright sense of minerality and the chocolate and earthy undertones. Fantastic in its youth, this beautiful wine will develop well for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2019-2038- 94
2016 Cadence ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘Ciel du Cheval’ is a compelling blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (43%) with Cabernet Franc (35%) and a touch of Petit Verdot (8%). On the nose this grabs immediate appeal with its herbal tones that combine with bright red fruits, sagebrush and suggestions of black tea. The palate is soft, round and generous, delivering a deep core of black fruits and chocolate with creosote undertones that combine with the bright sense of minerality. While marvelous now, this will evolve well for decades. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this a one to two hour decant. Drink 2019-2035- 93