Cadence is a family-owned winery in Seattle which owns its own vineyards located in Red Mountain, Washington State’s smallest, newest and most coveted viticultural appellation. Owners Gaye McNutt and Benjamin Smith specialize in bold red blends that interpret the best qualities reflected in Washington’s greatest vineyard terroir. Gaye and Ben left their corporate worlds in the 90′s to follow their dreams of owning a winery and since have consistently received excellent reviews from the national press, including 92 pts and “Hot Wine of the Week” for Ciel du Cheval 1999, and 92 pts and “Highly Recommended” for 2000 Tapteil from the Wine Spectator, 93+ pts and high score of the vintage for Tapteil 2000 from Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar annual Washington report. Cadence was awarded the 2002 “Artisan Winery of the Year” from Wine & Spirits Magazine, and was chosen as one of the top 100 reasons the editors of Food and Wine magazine love wine.
Taste
2008 Bel Canto, Cara Mia Vineyard
Immediately upon opening Bel Canto leads with an intriguing, almost medicinal quality, tightly wound and razor sharp. Two hours of air soften the nose into red fruit, a host of baking spices, minerals and pencil lead. The texture of the palate is remarkably silken, given the firm acidity and present tannins. This is a Bel Canto for the cellar or long decanting. Bel Canto 2008 was also listed in the top ten of Seattle Metropolitan’s Top 100 Washington Wines of 2011.67% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot
2008 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
This vintage is as dark, brooding, and structured as any Ciel to date. The nose shows deep layers of dark fruit and spice. The palate is atypically big for Ciel, with waves of black cherry, blueberry and plums crashing on bedrock style tannins. This is truly a wine for mid to long term cellaring, or a couple of hours in the decanter. Steve Tanzer remarks that Ciel “is lightly medicinal in a Cheval Blanc way.” 38% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, 12% Merlot
2009 Coda
Plums, blueberries and a touch of Red Mountain spice lead the aromatic profile. The palate is juicy and fresh. Tannins are definitely present at the level that begs for food. There is so much intensity and balance that it will age gracefully for several years. 34% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
2008 Tapteil Vineyard
The nose leads with the now-typical Tapteil dusty fruit, oak spice and black cherry. These echo on the palate, joined by cocoa powder and plums. The tannins are fine and firm, and definitely need a couple years to soften, peel away and reveal more of the intense fruit and savory notes hidden inside. A bottle to enjoy 15 years from now. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
2008 Camerata, Cara Mia Vineyard
Camerata is blended using the strictest selection of candidate barrels. The nose is intense, pure red fruit, spice and minerals. The palate echoes these flavors and adds well integrated acidity. The tannic structure is firm, fine and reaches the far places in the palate. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot
Happy Hour
All of our Thursday Tastings occur during Happy Hour. We have $4 glass pours and $4 food items. There is never a corkage fee on bottles. (Value over $20)
