Andrew Will Cellars Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 2001:
This is my second-to-last bottle of this wine. The last time I had this was about a year ago and it showed very well. This time it was more of the same. Vibrant and very giving, with a healthy acid profile and a nice mix of fruit, spice and earth. These wines no longer really remind me of Bordeaux- that’s not a bad thing- they have now carved out there own little niche in my mind. When I taste Andrew Will I know I am tasting Andrew Will. And, more to the point, these days when I am tasting wines from Washington State (mostly) I know what I am getting. Nice job. I might skip a year or two and save my last bottle for something special in 2015. 93 points
*****FWIW 11/02/08
Andrew Will Cellars Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 2001:
What a good wine. After drinking this I am down to my last three! Immediately you are bombarded with upfront fruit, allspice and a very pleasant herbal quality that has seamlessly integrated itself into the wine. It is full-bodied, bold and complex. I am struck by how much Chris’ wines remind me of Bordeaux, especially St. Emilion. 94 points
I’ve opened 97 and 98 Klipsun Merlot from Chris and it’s been fine (the 98 more ready than the 97). If anything, the Ciel should last longer.
I think that is probably a fair assessment.