Tantalizing aromas of ripe strawberry, Bing cherry and grenadine leap from the glass, followed by suggestions of blueberry and huckleberry, as well as subtle oak tones of slivered almond and hazelnut. The saturated red fruit layers are echoed on the delightfully supple palate, where they mingle with dynamic flavors of red licorice, orange zest and candied grape, and darker hints of black plum, cocoa, berry pie and baking spices.
With ideal soils and a dry desert climate, Red Mountain produces some of the most compelling and distinctive red wines in the New World. One of the region’s oldest and most renowned vineyards, Ciel du Cheval was established in 1975, and for decades it has been the source for some of Red Mountain’s most extraordinary bottlings..
The 2018 growing season produced one of the finest vintages of the past decade. After a warm spring that resulted in an early budbreak, the early summer weather turned somewhat cool ensuring slow, gentle ripening of the fruit. A perfectly timed return to warm weather in July and August spurred a final push towards ripeness. As we began preparing for harvest, the days were cool and rain free, allowing us to pick each vineyard and block exactly when we wished. The resulting wines are dark and generous, balancing supple, polished textures with age-worthy structures that underscore the lush intensity of the dark-berried fruit flavors.
Pairs well with