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Andrew Will, Champoux Vineyard, Bordeaux Blend

Washington, United States 2011 (750mL)
$68.00
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Fruit
Earth
Body
Tannin
Acid
Alcohol

Andrew Will, Champoux Vineyard, Bordeaux Blend


In Washington, 2011 was a killer vintage, and when the best fruit from a notable vineyard is harvested for a vineyard designate bottling, the result is usually amazing. Champoux Vineyard is located in southeastern Washington in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. This region’s unique microclimate make it synonymous with remarkable Bordeaux. The influence of the Columbia River mimics the climate in Bordeaux, mirroring the influence that the Gironde River has on its surrounding vineyards. The proximity to the river generates significantly more wind for the vineyards—more so than in other appellations—and the moderate, semi-arid climate allows the grapes to ripen very slowly; hang time is long, which generates beautiful flavor concentration, and simultaneously prevents the grapes from over-ripening and exhibiting high alcohol levels. Of course, the sandy-loam soil, ~650 feet elevation, north/south sun exposure, and average vine age of thirty years all contribute to the immense quality in this bottle as well. Andrew Will Winery is one of the few producers that is lucky enough to make wine from the famous Champoux Vineyard, and what Winemaker/Owner Chris Camarda has consistently done with the fruit is absolutely incredible. 

The 2011 Champoux is a blend of 54% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. In the glass, this wine has a concentrated, opaque ruby core with light purple reflections throughout. The nose is dense and dark with ripe notes of wild fruits, such as boysenberry, blackberry, dried cherry and cassis. Secondary aromas of violet candy, pencil lead, cedar and dried leaves are well integrated with the fruit. On the palate, the body of this wine is full and concentrated with flavors similar to the nose along with notes of fresh vanilla bean, cocoa powder, and anise layered into many layers of earthy structure. The balance between the baking spices and the dark, wild fruit is just perfect. This wine is beautiful now, but will also age exceptionally well for more than a decade. I will not blame you if you want to enjoy this wine soon—because it is really great at this stage in its development. Simply give the wine 30 minutes in a decanter and serve into large Bordeaux stems, then the wine quickly shows its powerful aromatic display. For pairing, this wine is the ultimate steakhouse accompaniment. To mimic an authentic steakhouse experience, fire up the grill and serve a classic rib eye steak alongside some roasted potatoes and caramelized onions.
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Country
United States
Region
Washington
Sub-Region
United StatesHorse Heaven Hills
Soil
Sandy Loam
Farming
Sustainable
Blend
54% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol
13.0
OAK
35% New French

United States

Washington

Columbia Valley

Like many Washington wines, the “Columbia Valley” indication only tells part of the story: Columbia Valley covers a huge swath of Central
Washington, within which are a wide array of smaller AVAs (appellations).

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Oregon’s Willamette Valley has become an elite winegrowing zone in record time. Pioneering vintner David Lett, of The Eyrie Vineyard, planted the first Pinot Noir in the region in 1965, soon to be followed by a cadre of forward-thinking growers who (correctly) saw their wines as America’s answer to French
Burgundies. Today, the Willamette
Valley is indeed compared favorably to Burgundy, Pinot Noir’s spiritual home. And while Pinot Noir accounts for 64% of Oregon’s vineyard plantings, there are cool-climate whites that must not be missed.

California

Santa Barbara

Among the unique features of Santa Barbara County appellations like Ballard Canyon (a sub-zone of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA), is that it has a cool, Pacific-influenced climate juxtaposed with the intense luminosity of a southerly
latitude (the 34th parallel). Ballard Canyon has a more north-south orientation compared to most Santa Barbara AVAs, with soils of sandy
clay/loam and limestone.

California

Paso Robles

Situated at an elevation of 1,600 feet, it is rooted in soils of sandy loam and falls within the Highlands District of the Paso Robles AVA.

New York

North Fork

Wine growers and producers on Long Island’s North Fork have traditionally compared their terroir to that of Bordeaux and have focused on French varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

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