The 2009 Tapteil Vineyard is an up-front, deliciously textured blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc that’s overflowing with bright plum, violets, wild herbs, pepper and wet stone minerality on the nose. Voluptuous, rich and seamless, with superb purity of fruit, it’s a mouth full of Washington State fruit that will be hard to resist in its youth; nevertheless, it should evolve gracefully for upwards of a decade. Drink now-2023. Started by Benjamin Smith and Gaye McNutt in 1998, this Bordeaux-blend focused estate is located just outside of Seattle and pulls all of their fruit from Red Mountain. They produce five different cuvees, with their entry level Coda being made from declassified lots and the other four focusing on single vineyard efforts from Red Mountain. They all show the Red Mountain tannic/savory side, yet balance it with plenty of texture, solid aromatics and overall classy, age-worthy profiles. In addition to his Tapteil and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard designates, Ben’s two reserve bottlings both come from his estate Cara Mia Vineyard which consists of 10.5 acres (8.3 under vine) which was planted to 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Petit in 2004. Tel. (206) 381-9507; cadencewinery.com