The Walls Curiositas Red Mountain Cabernet
With son Alec visiting home from NYC, we wanted to open something special with the beef tenderloin dinner Linda prepared for the occasion. We discovered and acquired this wine during our visit to the producer during our recent Walla Walla Wine Experience. It was our favorite of the portfolio of wines tasted with Mike Martin, owner/producer Walls Vineyards and Winery.
This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Red Mountain AVA in central Washington but it tastes more like an old World Bordeaux than a fruit forward fruit bomb from Napa - with its refined, polished and elegant style.
The Walls Curiositas Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
This was my absolute favorite of the flight. Of course I tend to favor Bordeaux varietals but I found this especially appealing.
The fruit for this is sourced from the Obelisco Vineyard on the higher slopes of the Red Mountain AVA. The vines get increased exposure to the sun and are planted in higher density to further stress the grapes. The result is a wine of great complexity but one that is elegant and lush, yet subtle with tones the winemaker describes as possessing 'freshness that evokes a Margaux-styled fragrant' Cabernet'.
While I grabbed a case of this to serve with grilled steak, it is so approachable, this is suited for elegant but casual sipping. It was great leading up to dinner and with the salad course, yet it stood up well and was an ideal accompaniment to the beef tenderloin.
From my Walls Winery producer visit report:
The Walls Curiositas Red Mountain Cabernet 2015
2015 Curiositas is an elegant, complex and lush, yet subtle, wine. Its tone of freshness evokes a Margaux-styled fragrant Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sourced from the Obelisco Vineyard, high in the Red Mountain AVA where the vines get full exposure to all the elements.
“It is beautifully situated, with more vines doing less work, and planted with higher density,” says winemaker Ali. “It lends itself to complexity so how could we not take advantage of that?”
Bright garnet ruby colored, it was medium bodied and did not have a firm gripping backbone structure expected watching the glycerine legs cling to the glass, the polished elegant tannins were so smooth and silky that it made for enticing casual sipping - bright red and black fruits accented by notes of creme de cassis, spice, tobacco leaf and subtle vanilla and oak. Jeb Dunnuck of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate talks about its 'well-integrated tannins, solid grip, coupled with a swath of fresh acidity that delivers muscular structure' but then talks about it being 'light footed through the long finish'.
RM 92 points.
331 Cases were produced.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2965947
https://www.thewallsvineyards.com/
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| With Mike Martin, Owner Walls Vineyards |
This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Red Mountain AVA in central Washington but it tastes more like an old World Bordeaux than a fruit forward fruit bomb from Napa - with its refined, polished and elegant style.
The Walls Curiositas Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
This was my absolute favorite of the flight. Of course I tend to favor Bordeaux varietals but I found this especially appealing.
The fruit for this is sourced from the Obelisco Vineyard on the higher slopes of the Red Mountain AVA. The vines get increased exposure to the sun and are planted in higher density to further stress the grapes. The result is a wine of great complexity but one that is elegant and lush, yet subtle with tones the winemaker describes as possessing 'freshness that evokes a Margaux-styled fragrant' Cabernet'.
While I grabbed a case of this to serve with grilled steak, it is so approachable, this is suited for elegant but casual sipping. It was great leading up to dinner and with the salad course, yet it stood up well and was an ideal accompaniment to the beef tenderloin.
From my Walls Winery producer visit report:
2015 Curiositas is an elegant, complex and lush, yet subtle, wine. Its tone of freshness evokes a Margaux-styled fragrant Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sourced from the Obelisco Vineyard, high in the Red Mountain AVA where the vines get full exposure to all the elements.
“It is beautifully situated, with more vines doing less work, and planted with higher density,” says winemaker Ali. “It lends itself to complexity so how could we not take advantage of that?”
Bright garnet ruby colored, it was medium bodied and did not have a firm gripping backbone structure expected watching the glycerine legs cling to the glass, the polished elegant tannins were so smooth and silky that it made for enticing casual sipping - bright red and black fruits accented by notes of creme de cassis, spice, tobacco leaf and subtle vanilla and oak. Jeb Dunnuck of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate talks about its 'well-integrated tannins, solid grip, coupled with a swath of fresh acidity that delivers muscular structure' but then talks about it being 'light footed through the long finish'.
RM 92 points.
Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave this “Editor’s Choice" and rated it "Extraordinary (95-100 pts.) "
Obelisco Vineyard, Red Mountain AVA 331 Cases were produced.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2965947
https://www.thewallsvineyards.com/
