NOW EXTENDED UNTIL MONDAY!! Hello again, Berserkers! Cadence is back for our FIFTH BerserkerDay with another set of deals from our small Seattle winery. In a nutshell, Cadence is known for producing elegant, restrained and ageworthy Bordeaux blends - often showcasing Cabernet Franc - from the Red Mountain AVA. These days we are 100% estate with all fruit coming from our 10-acre Cara Mia Vineyard, planted in 2004 and farmed by the inimitable Dick Boushey. Annual production is just 2,000 cases.
Want to know a bit more about the winery? Read our newbie intro from BD12
This year’s offer includes the 2022 Coda - named “one of Washington’s true outstanding values year after year” by Sean Sullivan, a gorgeous and lithe new Cabernet Sauvignon clocking in at a modest (for Red Mountain!) 14.0% abv, and another seamless rendition of our right-bank flagship, Bel Canto. Wines are discounted up to 25% this year with ground shipping included on full cases and $15 otherwise.
I’ll be online and following this thread for most of BD16, so feel free to say hello or ask questions!
Praise for Cadence:
There are quite a few threads here on WineBerserkers discussing/praising Ben’s wines, but I’ve also included a few highlights from critics below.
-
“There are any number of powerhouse Bordeaux blends being made in Washington today, but very few wines with this degree of class.” - Stephen Tanzer
-
"I was blown away by the seamless, elegant textures. Don’t miss these beauties!” - Jeb Dunnuck
-
“I’ve long been entranced with Cadence’s wines." - Jon Bonné
-
"Ben Smith is a Cabernet Franc savant.” - Sean Sullivan
-
“Immensely impressive. A decidedly Bordelais aesthetic.” - William Kelley
-
"Sure to entice any serious collector of Washington wine” - Owen Bargreen
-
Wine & Spirits Magazine Top 100 Winery of the Year 2023, 2021, 2014, 2012, 2007 & 2002
-
2023 Auction of Washington Wines Honorary Vintner
-
Seattle Magazine Winemaker of the Year, 2012
The fine print:
Please note, we cannot ship to: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee & Utah. Wines ship via FedEx, weather dependent, with adult signature (21+) required at time of delivery. Sales tax, if applicable, will be calculated at checkout. Free shipping/$15 flat rate applies to lower 48 only, AK & HI will be extra.
Offer #1: Full Case Sampler - BD16 price $442, retail price $590 (save $148)
- Four bottles each of Coda 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 & Bel Canto 2021
- 25% discount with free shipping
- Click HERE to order
Offer #2: Six Pack Sampler - BD16 price $236, retail price $295 (save $59)
- Two bottles each of Coda 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 & Bel Canto 2021
- 20% discount & $15 shipping
- Click HERE to order
Offer #3: Three Pack Sampler - BD16 price $125, retail price $147.50 (save $22.50)
- One bottle each of Coda 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 & Bel Canto 2021
- 15% discount & $15 shipping
- Click HERE to order
Wine Info:
2022 Coda - Cara Mia Vineyard, Red Mountain - $27.50 retail
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 the estate or vineyard blends.
- 41% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon - 50% new French oak
- 900 cases produced
- 92 points Vinous
- 14.4% abv
Winemaker notes: “Coda 2022 leads with aromas of plums, spice and a whisper of oak. Flavors echo the nose but add layers of fruit interleaved with beautiful savory Franc character. The deep, rich, amazing mouthfeel marks the wine as clearly Franc dominant, as does the silky, soft tannins and beautiful length. An approachable, elegant Coda!”
"The 2022 Coda Cara Mia Vineyard, a blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. “The 2022 Coda is floral and finessed, with a lovely bouquet of wild berries, mint leaves, lavender and crushed stone. It’s silky smooth yet lifted in style, with ripe red berry fruit tones offset by the slightest nip of sour citrus. Hints of licorice linger through the long and finely structured finale, as the 2022 leaves a bitter tinge that keeps the mouth watering for more. While already approachable, the 2022 will excel after another year or two of cellaring.” - Eric Guido, Vinous
2021 Cara Mia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain - $50.00 retail
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon - 50% new French oak
- 287 cases produced
- 94 points Decanter
- 14.0% abv
Winemaker notes: “Perhaps I should begin by telling you how we wanted to style a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from our vineyard and then tell you how close I came to the mark! 2021 is the 16th vintage from Cara Mia Vineyard. In that time we’ve incessantly tweaked, prodded, pruned, grafted and in many other ways changed the way we farm and harvest fruit, all with the goal of producing intense wines of grace and balance not normally found on Red Mountain or in most of Washington. In those 16 years I have become increasingly confident in our pick decisions (being old has a few advantages) and in that time we’ve lowered our ripeness levels at least one to 1.5 Brix, a significant change allowing for more non-fruit savoriness and bright, beautiful acidity coupled with ageworthy tannins. As for our new release, the 2021 vintage brought a wonderful balance to Cabernet Sauvignon that clearly demonstrates the character we love to express.”
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cara Mia Vineyard blossoms in the glass with a classic bouquet of gravel dust and pencil lead, giving way to aromas of minty herbs and blackcurrants. This soothes with its soft and round textures, elevated by a core of cooling acidity. Mineral-laced red fruits envelop the senses and a web of sweet tannins creates a pretty, structured framework. Hints of tart raspberry and inner rose tones linger through the long and beautifully integrated finish. In a word, this is spellbinding. It’s likely the best value in the Cadence portfolio to date.” -Eric Guido, Vinous
2021 Bel Canto, Cara Mia Vineyard, Red Mountain - $70.00 retail
bel canto, n. a. A style of singing characterized by beauty of tone rather than dramatic power [Italian, literally: beautiful singing], b. Cadence blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot grown on its estate, Cara Mia Vineyard.
- 89% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot - 50% new French oak
- 300 cases produced
- 97 points Owen Bargreen, 96 points Decanter
- 14.4% abv
Winemaker notes: “Hints of menthol initially on the nose, resolving into exotic spices and deep fruit. Palate enormously concentrated, plush and firm with tannins that caress the finish. Plums and blueberries. Fantastic length. Exceptional aging potential.”
“The 2021 Bel Canto lifts from the glass with a gorgeous varietal bouquet of peppery rose and violet tones, evolving further with crushed blackberries and hints of sweet smoke. Seductively round and soothing to the senses, it sweeps across the palate, lifted and refined, with ripe red and blue fruits that take on a spicy tinge toward the close. This echoes with blue and purple inner florals, licorice and sweet tannins. The balance here is exceptional. Beautifully done.” - Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
Thank you for your support, and Happy BerserkerDay!
www.cadencewinery.com