2014 Andrew Will Sorella Washington Red

2014 Andrew Will Sorella

97 JD

Featured Review

The deep inky colored 2014 Sorella checks in as a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec. Cassis, smoked earth, graphite, and chocolate all emerge from this full-bodied, concentrated, gorgeously rich and layered beauty that has sweet tannin, beautiful purity, and a great finish. This is a sensational wine. Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JD

The deep inky colored 2014 Sorella checks in as a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend that includes 11% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with tiny amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Cassis, smoked earth, graphite and chocolate all emerge from this rich, full-bodied, concentrated, gorgeously layered beauty that has sweet tannin, beautiful purity and a great finish. This is a sensational wine, and it’s going to be interesting to see how this stacks up with the 2007 and 2012 at maturity. 612 cases.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RP

This is a tight and linear wine with juicy and bright red berries. Shows chocolate and hazelnut undertones. Medium body, bold, noble tannins and a flavorful finish. This marries power and focus. Drink or hold.

James Suckling | 94 JS

(Andrew Will Cellars “Sorella” Champoux Vineyard (Horse Heaven Hills)) The 2014 vintage of Sorella from Andrew Will Cellars is not quite as cabernet sauvignon-centric as the 2015, with the cépages this year coming in at seventy-four percent cabernet, eleven percent each of merlot and cabernet franc and two percent each of petit verdot and malbec. The wine is again beautifully pure and complex on the nose, offering up scents of cassis, cigar smoke, a hint of eucalyptus, a lovely base of soil, espresso and spicy new oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a superb core of fruit, ripe tannins and excellent length and grip on the well-balanced finish. This is fully 14.5 percent alcohol in 2014, but carries it very, very well and there is only a faint hint of heat on the backend. (Drink between 2024-2075)

John Gilman | 93 JG

Shows polish and impeccable structure, with smoky red currant aromas and complex, tightly focused black cherry, black tea and spice flavors that power toward big but refined tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Best from 2019 through 2024. 612 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 93 WS

Named after nephew Andrew and son Will, Chris Carmada founded this winery in 1989 and has now handed over the reins to Will. While the winery is on Vashton Island off Seattle, fruit comes from some of the best sites over the Cascades, including the Champoux Vineyard, source of the 74% Cabernet in this Bordeaux blend. Complex and supple, layered with velvety tannins, coffee, blackcurrant, tar and lead. 18 months’ oak ageing, 40% new. Drinking Window 2020 - 2025

Decanter | 92 DEC

Bright ruby-red. High-toned, slightly porty aromas of blackberry, blueberry and licorice. At once silky and penetrating, with the superripe dark berry and violet flavors saturating the palate without leaving any impression of heaviness. This highly concentrated, long wine displays palate-saturating tannins that are serious but not dry, reaching the front teeth.

Vinous Media | 91 VM

Type of Wine	Washington Red
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region	Washington : While California definitely owns the spotlight when it comes to excellent American wines, Washington winemakers should certainly not be underestimated. While their traditional focus was set firmly on refreshing, illustrious white wines, they've adopted French red varietals like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, they've been achieving excellence in both categories and can compete with the world's most prestigious viticultural titans. Flavor-wise, you can expect a healthy amount of variety when it comes to Washington's finest wines. From acidic and fruity bottles that can shake you up from even the deepest slumber or sadness to rich and ripe powerhouses that command the respect of everyone in the room after as much as a single whiff. Juicy raspberries that gently tickle your tongue, deep and noble blackberries, intense cherries and earthen oak - these are the flavors that characterize this region, despite the presence of an entire orchestral symphony of other aromatic notes. A sampling of fine wine from Washington is a lot like being seduced, so why not uncork one of these bottles for a potential or existing partner? With a drink of this quality, those romantic sparks will turn into a fireworks display, as your emotions are laid bare and intensified, and you make a connection that can last a lifetime.