Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard 2015

Andrew Will is based on Vashon, in Washington State, and built its reputation on single-vineyard Bordeaux blends. This wine draws on the Champoux vineyard, five miles from the Columbia River in the Horse Heaven Hills, planted on sand and clay soils. The blend brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Eastern Washington's high desert climate gives hot, sunny days and cold nights, a wide diurnal range that ripens the Bordeaux varieties fully while the cool nights lock in acidity and aroma. The sandy soils drain freely and limit vigour, concentrating the fruit. The harvest is by hand and fermentation takes place in stainless steel, which keeps the fruit clean and lets the vineyard character lead. The wine is then aged 18 to 20 months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange refines the tannins and adds cedar and sweet spice. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe cherry, blackberry and violet, with anise, menthol and tobacco from the barrel. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, with firm, ripe tannins and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits grilled and roast red meat.