The Buzz 2003


Abbinare

Washington State, 2003

Wine Press Northwest

Wine Press Northwest, Summer 2006
Italian for "linked together", Tim Narby kept this true to the phrase. French oak expression of oak, with coffee, chocolate and leather, as well as red berries, follow through on the flavors with chocolate-covered Chukar cherries. There's not bitterness to mar the modest finish of this pleasant and easy going wine.

 

Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

Red Mountain, 2003

90 points

Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Wine Enthusiast Magazine, March 2007
A Bordeaux blend, roughly one third each Cab Sauvignon and Merlot, and the rest split between Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. It says something about the quality of winemaker Tim Narby's efforts that he has access to this fruit, which goes to many of the state's best wineries. He has made an exceptionally fragrant wine, mixing leather, violets and sweet cherry--unusual yet beguiling. In the mouth the wine cuts through, with assertive flavors of cherry, pomegranate, leather, cocoa and coffee. The tannins carry a sense of mineral and earth, as is usually true with Ciel du Cheval fruit. -- P.G. (3/1/2007) — Paul Gregutt

 

Outstanding

Wine Press Northwest

Wine Press Northwest, Summer 2006
Owner/Winemaker Tim Narby taps into one of the state's finest vineyards for his bold Bordeaux blend of Cab Sauv (34%), Merlot (34%), Cabernet Franc (16%), and Petit Verdot (16%). Huge blackberry, baker's chocolate, black pepper, cloves, fresh earth and flannel wrap your nose. Blackberries and black pepper dominate the strong palate that features juiciness of fruit and tannins that aren't astringent, giving way to more peppercorns.

 

Miscela

Washington State, 2003

91 points

Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Wine Enthusiast Magazine, March 2007
This is the winery's Merlot-dominated Bordeaux blend, crafted from a who's who of excellent vineyard sources. It's a step up from the 2002; more structured, more vertical, more confident all around. The fruit is a precision mix of blueberry, blackberry and black cherry; with oak-infused tannins that carry streaks of stone, coffee, vanilla and caramel. This is a young, firm wine, with real muscle. -- P.G. (3/1/2007) — Paul Gregutt

 

87 points

Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator, May 2007
Ripe and soft, with a gentle layer of tannins around tar and berry flavors that linger on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2010. 175 cases made. -H.S. — Harvey Steiman

 

Syrah

Washington State, 2003

89 points

Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator, May 2007
Round, supple and generous with its green olive-tinged cherry and sweet spice flavors, lingering against super-refined tannins on the polished finish. Drink now through 2011. 150 cases made. -H.S. — Harvey Steiman