High-quality 2016 Cadence Coda, Red Mountain 1.5l Magnum Certified [6kGRp1TJ]

From: Washington, USA

Varietals: 48% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon

coda, n. a. A music passage of more or less independent character introduced after the completion of the essential parts of a movement, so as to form a satisfactory conclusion, b. The second label of Cadence winery. The home for barrels not essential to our estate or vineyard blends.

Tasting Notes: Coda leads with merlot as in many years past, but you may notice that the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon is significantly smaller than in previous versions. The nose is already deep and broad, filled with spice, crunchy red fruit, pomegranate, and stones. These are echoed on the palate, where deep red fruit plays off the fresh acidity in waves of flavors. The tannins are intense, firm, refined, and perfectly balanced against the acid and fruit structure. This is poised, serious juice ready for a good decant or a couple of years in the cellar.

About: 

Cadence is dedicated to showcasing the finest vineyard sites in Washington State. Their Bordeaux-styled blends are their interpretation of the best qualities reflected in Washington's greatest vineyard terroir. Cadence's winemaking philosophy is based on the belief that blending creates a balanced wine of greater character than the individual components. Their wines express the power, intensity or elegance of the vineyard reflected in the characteristics of the varietals on the vineyard site.

A coveted source of top quality red grapes among premier Washington producers, the Red Mountain AVA is actually the smallest appellation in the state. As its name might suggest, it is actually neither a mountain nor is it composed of red earth. Instead the appellation is an anticline of the Yakima fold belt, a series of geologic folds that define a number of viticultural regions in the surrounding area. It is on the eastern edge of Yakima Valley with slopes facing southwest towards the Yakima River, ideal for the ripening of grapes. The area’s springtime proliferation of cheatgrass, which has a reddish color, actually gives the area the name, "Red" Mountain.

Red Mountain produces some of the most mineral-driven, tannic and age-worthy red wines of Washington and there are a few reasons for this. It is just about the hottest appellation with normal growing season temperatures commonly reaching above 90F. The soil is particularly poor in nutrients and has a high pH, which results in significantly smaller berry sizes compared to varietal norms. The low juice to skin ratio in smaller berries combined with the strong, dry summer winds, leads to higher tannin levels in Red Mountain grapes.

The most common red grape varieties here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, among others. Limited white varieties are grown, namely Sauvignon blanc.

The reds of the area tend to express dark black and blue fruit, deep concentration, complex textures, high levels of tannins and as previously noted, have good aging capabilities.