Today we present one of the greats of Washington wine. Andrew Will is one of Washington’s historic houses founded by Chris Carmada in 1989 that has consistently produced wines that stand the test of time. These wines are drinking really well now at the 20 year mark and have tasted several older ones from my personal collection recently. Andrew Will was named after Chris’s nephew Andrew and son Will, who now serves as head winemaker. Andrew Will is located on Vashon Island not far from Seattle. It is a gorgeous, Evergreen tree-lined location to taste these outstanding wines.
Chris started his winery by sourcing from two great vineyards in Washington, the Champoux and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards. Today they source all of their grapes from their Two Blondes Vineyard as well as those two historic vineyards. Will Carmada is a world-class winemaker who is making some wines that are equally good to his dad’s. Will is an unabashed wine geek that seeks out wines of the world and never stops learning.
I love his new Bordeaux style white wine, his 2022 Andrew Will ‘Cuvee Lucia’ White Wine (OB, 93) which is beautifully textured and poised. I am crazy for the 2021 Andrew Will ‘Two Blondes Vineyard’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is a gorgeous rendition of this wine, showing good elegance and a smooth mouthfeel. Learn more about these stunning wines at http://www.andrewwill.com/home/ Here are the beautiful new release wines by Andrew Will.
2022 Andrew Will ‘Cuvee Lucia’ Semillon- A Bordeaux-inspired style wine made with 100% Semilion blended in, this was stored in stainless steel before bottling. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured, showing a creamy mouthfeel, with nutty and melon tones. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2022 Involuntary Commitment Red Wine- This is a blend of roughly 50% Cabernet Franc with the reminder Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon mainly coming from the Two Blondes Vineyard. Stored in all natural oak barrels this opens with tar, mocha and tobacco leaf with leather notes and blackberry compote. This shows great body and structure with a good sense of weight. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2019 Andrew Will ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Red Wine- The brilliant 2019 Andrew Will ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Red Wine is a Right Bank inspired blend that combines 52% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot. Anise, black currants, graphite and scorched earth tones mark the nose. The palate is beautifully balanced with good elegance and verve, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. This displays really nice flavor density despite the coolness of the vintage. Drink 2024-2036- 95
2021 Andrew Will ‘Two Blondes’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is inky in the glass, delivering violets, tar, anise and black currant flavors. This is soft, round and generous on the mouth, with bright underlying acidity. Medium to full-bodied and full of verve, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 94