Andrew Will Red Blend Sorella 2018 1.5Ltr

The flagship from this great estate is the 2018 Sorella, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend (8% each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and the 4% Petit Verdot) that spent the same 22 months in 35% new French oak. Gorgeous crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, lead pencil, and chocolate define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, and has a great, great finish. A classically styled, structured, age-worthy beauty, it will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and have 2-3 decades of overall longevity. Trust me, this will pass undetected in a blind lineup of top Bordeaux.

Set to be released in spring of 2023, the 2018 Sorella is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc with Petit Verdot filling in the remainder. Juicy, dusty and spicy aromas waft from the glass with succulent, floral notes that capture the nose. Spiced red cherries, potpourri and dusty black raspberry essences cartwheel with notions of lavender and rose hip before offering up delicate baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is initially subdued and grows in amplitude while offering a balanced structure with succulent tannins. The longer the wine sits on the palate, it increases in spiciness under the ripe, juicy dark red fruit tones. The Sorella continues to evolve in the mouth with persistence, lingering long, leaving behind flavors graphite, crème de cassis and black cherry skin. Just under 8,000 bottles were filled after the wine rested for 22 months in all French oak, 35% new. Set your calendar and put this on your shopping list for when it’s released. Bravo, another stunning vintage of Sorella on the books.

One of the outstanding wines of this vintage. Right now it is very tightly wound, with a massive wall of dark currants, blackberry compote and espresso bean tones on the palate. With refined tannins and an exceedingly long finish, this wine will cellar well for decades to come. Try to resist this beautiful wine for at least a few years.

The 2017 Sorella is youthly coy in the glass, with a darkly alluring blend of dusty dried flowers, cinnamon and clove nuances giving way to pretty hints of violet pastilles. There's an abundance of energy within, as tart cherries and blackberries cascade across a core of zesty acidity, and sour citrus hints adding a lovely tension toward the close. A coating of fine tannins frames the finish, creating a truly classic feel, as the 2018 tapers off with a staining of primary concentration.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot from Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Sorella translates to sister in Italian, and was named after Chris Camarda's late sister Jane Camarda. Sorella has been made from 100% Champoux Vineyard fruit since it's first vintage in 1994, and represents the nature of the vineyard by highlighting the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is considered some of the best in Washington State. Vinified with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak (35% new/65% neutral) for 22 months. Bottled unfined/unfiltered and minimal so2 added.