Wine Spectator 95 Points for Andrew Will Sorella 05

Here's the Wine Spectator ratings from the "Insider" dated April 30, 2008:

Andrew Will Sorella 05 $68.95/$62.05
Wine Spectator 95 Points and "HOT WINE":
"Impressive for its purity of flavors and generosity. This gorgeous red fills the mouth with rich black cherry, blackberry and hints of cedar and sweet spices, waxing and persisting on an expressive finish that goes on and on. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2009 through 2017. From Washington."—H.S.

Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills 05 $59.95/$53.95
Wine Spectator 94 points:
" Seamless and harmonious, with beautifully articulated, ripe black cherry, cassis and violet-tinged floral notes that mingle with hints of cedar and dark chocolate as the finish sails on against polished tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2009 through 2015.—H.S.

Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard Yakima Valley 05 $51.95/$46.76
Wine Spectator 91 points:
"Distinctly minty, with a vibrant core of raspberry and blackberry fruit that rides smoothly over polished tannins, balanced with juicy acidity. Needs time to settle into itself. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2010 through 2015.—H.S.

We wrote this email in early February 2008. Now it's April 30, and Wine Spectator just rated the Andrew Will Sorella HIGHER than the Quilceda Creek Cabernet Savuvignon 05 (94 pts)! If you read our newsletter, below, you'll see that we anticipated Wine Spectator by a few months!

Two of the best wines we've opened in the twenty plus years we've been in business. -- The Andrew Will Sorella 05 and the Annie Camarda Syrah 03. I'd rather drink these than the 100 point Quilceda Cab. A cloud of joy was floating above the Avalon Wine tasting bar when we tried them. If you get the idea we like these wines, you're right. - Jean

Andrew Will
Sorella 05 $68.95/$62.05

95 points from Wine Spectator
The 2005 Andrew Will Sorella
is Washington wine at the top of its game.

Intense aromas of black and blue fruits with wiffs of vanilla-tinged woodsmoke; then, wait - Amarena cherry and marzipan. Oh, the dense layers of black cherry, black currant, baked plums, and blueberries sprinkled with baking spices. The tannins are woven in the body of the wine, and appear on the finish with cocoa powder and licorice.

The Sorella is made from some of WA State's oldest vines, in Champoux Vineyard's famed Block One, and the complexity shines through. - Marcus

The label depicts Chris's wife Annie, who passed away in 2005. While the wine was originally intended as an homage to Chris's sister, after wife Annie passed away, Chris changed the label. To honor Annie's memory, he replaced the original Sorella label, which featured a drawing of his sister, with a portrait of Annie by the same artist. “Sorella” is “sister” in Italian, and Chris's sister also died of cancer in 1995.

Andrew Will
Champoux Vineyard $59.95/$53.95

94 points from Wine Spectator
One of Avalon's most anticipated releases each year. From some of the oldest vines in Washington comes this powerhouse red. Beautiful black cherry, intense blueberry, and dark cocoa aromas, with pretty violet accents. Taking a sip is like biting into a warm black cherry/black plum gallette, with flavors cascading and expanding. The fine tannins are present but nicely integrated and the balance is perfect. A minute later minerals, earth, and sweetness linger.

45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

From the winery: "The full texture and well-rounded fruit profile of this wine give it a compelling attraction. The middle palate sustains the well-developed structure of the wine and adds much to the over all sense of balance which the wine projects. Flavors of Tar and black fruit with blueberry accents bring out the sense of ripeness and sweetness, which this wine possesses. Not to be out done by the Ciel du Cheval this wine carries itself with great poise and bearing."

Andrew Will
Annie Camarda Syrah 03 $59.95/$53.95

93 points from Wine Spectator
Wow Wow Wow! This wine floored us. Powerful but not overpowering, the 03 Syrah has light smoke, scorched earth, toffee, and anise notes on the nose. An initial wave of pure blackberry and black cherry shifts to juicy plums on the middle and finish. There's a creamy element that enhances the staying power of the finish. A unanimous Avalon choice for one of the top Washington Syrahs. - Marcus

Wine Spectator 93 points : "Rich, ripe and bright. An effusive mouthful of blackberry, red plum and dusky spice flavors, emphasizing the pretty fruit but not without hinting at white pepper and star anise as the finish picks up steam. A big wine, but this doesn't feel at all heavy. Drink now through 2014. 284 cases made." – HS

Made from fruit from old vine blocks in the Champoux and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards. It was aged 33 months in 100% new oak barrels. The wine is named for Chris's wife Annie, who passed away from breast cancer in 2005. The label was designed by Annie Camarda's best friend, who incorporated design elements from Annie's garden.

Chris comments on the Annie Camarda Syrah - "The 2003 Annie Camarda Syrah is rich, luscious and slightly bohemian – similar to its namesake. And while it would like to be blond and over 6’ tall and reaches for it; it falls short."

Andrew Will
Two Blondes Red 05 $51.95/$46.76

91 points from Wine Spectator
Vibrant, concentrated fruity scents of sweet blueberries and black currants. There's a big, delious dollop of raspberry/blueberry cream pie that pulls you in. The forward fruit makes the 05 Two Blondes accessible, while the underlying structure becomes apparent with decanting. Earth, clove, subtle peppercorn and chocolate notes round out the finish. - Marcus

The Two Blondes Vineyard is owned by Chris Camarda and Bill Fleckenstein, and named for their wives Annie and Melody, both blondes. It's adjacent to the Sheridan Vineyard just outside Zillah in the mid-Yakima valley. Planted in 2000 after a few fist and starts with the weather, the vineyard produces grapes that show tremendous depth and character even while quite young.

Avalon sent this wine to our Big Reds Club each year since the first, very limited release in 2002, allowing our members to cellar a vertical. Tasting the wine across the years of its development will be an event to be remembered by friends and family.

Read more about Andrew Will Winery
and Chris Camarda

Andrew Will Winery
Chris Camarda Continues Drilling to the Core of Great Winemaking
While Hovering at the Top of the Heap
by Christina Kelly

Andrew Will Winery
Reduces offerings to Concentrate on Intense Bordeaux Blends
by Christina Kelly

Marcus, Amy, Kevin, and Wendy, and Jean
541-752-7418

Avalon Wine
201 SW 2nd Street
Corvallis OR 97333
541-752-7418
www.avalonwine.com
store@avalonwine.com

Marcus Looze
VP Marketing & Sales
marcus@avalonwine.com
541-752-7418

Amy Paul
Customer Service
store@avalonwine.com
541-752-7418

Kevin Hanscom
Shipping Manager
store@avalonwine.com

Wendy Brown
Bookkeeper & Gourmet Sales
wendy@avalonwine.com

Jean Yates
President
jean@avalonwine.com
541-424-8004 (direct line)

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