For years I have admired the novel, age worthy Bordeaux style wines by Ben Smith (http://owenbargreen.com/benjamin-smith-cadence) Together with his wife Gaye McNutt now for over twenty years Cadence has been producing some great wines with good aging potential. Having recently tried some of these wines from the 1990s, it is incredible how they can cellar and retain their acidity. Their wines display rich dark fruits and a structure that affords decades of aging. These are wines that need a good deal of air upon release, 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, where most of their wines come from. I’ve enjoyed tasting these wines at the ten year mark where they seem to start collecting secondary characteristics.
I loved the new releases, from the somewhat challenging 2019 vintage that saw a major frost event in early October. Don’t miss out on the killer new 2020 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine (OB, 92) which is a downright killer value and is jam-packed with dark fruits. I adored the 2019 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Red Wine (OB, 96) which might be the fLearn more about this great winery at cadencewinery.com and here are my reviews of the the beautiful new wines by Cadence.
2020 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Coda’ is a beautiful value red blend by Ben Smith. A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc with 45% Merlot and the remainder Petit Verdot all sourced from the Cara Mia Vineyard, this weighs in at 14.5% alcohol. Very clean and herbal on the nose with sagebrush and scorched earthy accents alongside ripe red cherry notes. The palate is soft and inviting with a silky texture and lovely depth and complexity. Let this outstanding value sit for 20 minutes in the decanter before serving. Drink 2022-20232- 92
2019 Cadence ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ Red Wine- The ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ is a site that will no longer be utilized by Cadence following the vineyard sale. Ben Smith has sourced from this site since 1998 and this is the final vintage of this storied Washington wine. For my palate this has to be one of the finest — if not the finest — renditions of this wine. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 28% Cabernet Franc and the remainder Merlot, this was stored in 40% new French oak prior to bottling. Black rose petals and toasty oak notes combine with tar, anise and shades of loganberry jelly. The palate is seamless and soft, showing an incredible elegance and the flavor density is outstanding considering the challenges of the vintage. Every moving part seems to fit just marvelously here, as the outstanding 2019 ‘Tapteil’ will cellar on for another two decades. Give this a one hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2022-2038- 95
2019 Cadence ‘Camerata’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Camerata’ blends 58% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Cabernet Franc and 17% Merlot all sourced from the Cara Mia Vineyard. Aged in 50% new French oak this offers Asian spices and blackberry compote on the nose with suggestions of freshly tilled volcanic soils and a light dusting of black pepper. The palate is silky smooth and refined, with light tannins that frame a gorgeous core of red and dark fruits. This is elegant Red Mountain that will sure to satisfy a wide range of critics and consumers alike. Be sure to give this at least one hour in the decanter before enjoying. Drink 2022-2038- 95
2019 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Bel Canto’ is a stunning new Right Bank-inspired red blend from Red Mountain. Utilizing 83% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot, this was stored in 50% new French oak (Taransaud, Darnajou and Gamba barrels) before bottling. The pretty red florals immediately capitative as potpourri and freshly picked red raspberry aromas combine with suggestions of creosote, black currants and allspice. The palate is soft and very inviting upon approach, showing very silky tannins. A glorious range of red and dark fruits, with cocoa powder and suggestions of pencil lead. Very seamless, this is a stunning new wine that is truly one of the best of its kind in the state. Enjoy this beauty over the next fifteen to twenty years and give it an hour in the decanter if savoring in its vibrant youth. Drink 2022-2040- 96