2012 Cadence Tapteil Vineyard, Columbia Valley RP--93

Robert Parker: 93 Points
eRobertParker.com #219 Jun 2015 Jeb Dunnuck 93 Drink: 2018 - 2032 (45) The 2012 Tapteil Vineyard is elegant and complex, with lots of minerality in its red plums, blueberry and floral bouquet. Full-bodied, mouth filling, layered and pure, with lots of tannin on the mid-palate and finish, it needs short-term cellaring and will be another 2012 from Ben that will see its 20th birthday in fine form. The blend here is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc, all of which spent 18 months in 40% new French oak. These latest releases from Ben Smith at Cadence are the best I’ve tasted from him. They all have classic Red Mountain characters, yet also have lots of finesse and elegance as well. While I normally don’t find much qualitative differences between his estate-vineyard releases (Cara Mia and Bel Canto) and his other two single-vineyard releases, in 2012 I thought the estate vineyard wines excelled. Lovers of Bordeaux variety wines need to get on this estate’s bandwagon ASAP.