Carmody McKnight Estate Wines

Carmody McKnight, a small biodynamic and continuously sustainable-farmed vineyard on the outskirts of the Far Out side of Paso Robles, has always made a stellar Bordeaux blend (Meritage) called Cadenza. Over the years, they have consistently won major awards for this blend, at one point (1996) taking best of State at the State Fair, scoring a whopping 98 points.

Made from all estate fruit, it’s always a little different each year, and in 2004 the Cab Sauv was the dominant factor. No surprise here, as that year, even the most reticent of the Bordeaux varietals got pretty ripe, which pushed them from behind the scenes players to the front row of the cheerleading section. I love Cab Franc, so the fact that this is so heavily Franc’ed makes extra points for me.

This wine was aged for 37 months in 60% French, 40% American, with 10% new. Aromas are so pure Bordeaux, with barnyard, pepper, cherry and cigar. Everything is correct for this blend. The flavors are right in line with the beautiful peppers, black cherries, currants, cassis, salami, dried chervil, sage and hints of tarragon. This is a very complex wine, with a long life ahead of it. The tasting notes from the winery are right on: drink now through infinity. It continually evolves in the glass, getting more intense with each sip, kind of like those nail-biting final moments of a hoops game.

Reviewed May 23, 2008 by Laura Ness.