Ben Smith has seen a harvest or two. Together with his wife Gaye McNutt now for over twenty years Cadence has been producing some great wines with good aging potential. They deftly blend Bordeaux varietals from Red Mountain and while varied in their individual expressions, the wines show consistently rich dark fruits and a structure that affords decades of aging. These are wines that need a good deal of air right now, and if enjoying in their youth a one to two hour decant is highly recommended. Ben and Gaye also both own their own vineyard in Red Mountain, the Cara Mia Vineyard.
From my personal collection I have looked at Cadence wines from 2010 and 2011 and both were singing now at the decade mark and have another eight to ten years to go. I loved the new wines by Cadence. Their entry level 2018 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine (OB, 91) is absolutely singing right now with its polished texture and wonderfully soft mouthfeel. I was floored by the 2017 Cadence ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is sinfully good for the price, showing mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This is earthy wine with a gorgeous texture that is sure to entice any serious collector of Washington wine. Learn more about this great winery at cadencewinery.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Cadence.
2018 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine- Made of declassified lots, the 2018 ‘Coda’ is seriously good for the price. A blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 29% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot. Red bell pepper with bright red fruits and baking spices all prevail on the nose. The palate is soft and round, showing off polished tannins that combine with blackberry compote and dark chocolate shavings alongside graphite and dried herbs on this complex palate. Enjoy this beautiful new wine over the next eight years. Drink 2020-2028- 91
2017 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Red Wine- The soft and glorious ‘Bel Canto’ is a gorgeous right bank style blend of 82% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot with 6% Petit Verdot. High toned red rose blossom artfully combine with boysenberry cordial and shades of sagebrush on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured, showing a great err of elegance. Medium to full-bodied red and dark fruits meld with cocoa powder, coffee grounds and cigar box tones on the palate. A bit tightly wound right now, be sure to give this at least an hour of air if enjoying in its youth. This beauty has a long way to go. Drink 2021-2036- 93
2017 Cadence ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Red Wine-A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ shows very pretty potpourri tones on the nose with baking spices, red bell pepper and rich roasted figs that all take shape in the glass. The palate is deep and rich, yet shows remarkable freshness despite the heat of the site and vintage. Mocha and tar tones mingle with minerals, sagebrush and rich blackberry pie tones on the palate. Complex and delicious to savor in its youth, this outstanding Red Mountain wine will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2021-2038- 94
2017 Cadence ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ Red Wine by superstar winemaker Ben Smith is a stunning new effort and a seriously good value at $45.00. A blend of near equal parts Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (29%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (43%), this unveils layers of toasty oak and bright red florals woven together with black cherry cordial, menthol and smoky undertones on this complex, downright intoxicating bouquet. Once on the mouth you are greeted to a seamless texture and wonderful poise. Exceedingly elegant and seamless, yet having a good mid-palate density, this impressive effort is gorgeous to savor in its youth and has a long life ahead of it. Be sure to give this at least two hours in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2038- 94
2017 Cadence ‘Camerata’ Red Wine- Sourced from the ‘Cara Mia Vineyard’ on Red Mountain, the 2017 100% Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Camerata’ shows lovely high-toned violets that are woven together with smoky minerals, blackberry pie and shades of black licorice that all march in unison aromatically. The palate is fresh and vibrant with layers of toasty oak that wrap around a core of dark fruits and chocolate fudge flavors with pipe tobacco undertones. Gorgeous in its youth, this will cellar well for another fifteen years or more. Drink 2020-2035- 93