Ciel Du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5 to 15 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
grilled ribeye steak, roasted rack of lamb, braised beef short ribs
✨ Technical Specifications
The Fidelitas Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon is a profound tribute to one of the most historic and revered vineyards in Washington State's Red Mountain AVA. Planted in 1975 by pioneer Jim Holmes, the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard—translating to 'Sky of the Horse'—is legendary for its wind-swept, gravelly soils rich in calcium carbonate, deposited millennia ago by the cataclysmic Missoula Floods. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes masterfully coaxes the unique signature of this site into the bottle, showcasing the intense heat and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts of Red Mountain. The wine is characterized by its deep concentration, structured and dusty tannins, and a distinct mineral backbone. Aged primarily in French oak, this Cabernet Sauvignon beautifully marries rich dark fruit flavors with the savory, earthy complexity that has made Ciel du Cheval a benchmark terroir in American viticulture.
🍾 About the Producer
Fidélitas was founded in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, formerly the head red winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Joined by his son Will Hoppes, the winery embodies an unyielding dedication to Bordeaux grape varieties cultivated exclusively within Washington State's prestigious Red Mountain AVA. Situated on warm, southwest-facing slopes, the region's intense sunlight, fierce winds, poor gravelly loam soils, and profound diurnal temperature fluctuations foster thick-skinned berries with formidable concentration and natural acidity. The estate vineyard, first planted in 2008 and farmed sustainably with Sustainable WA certification, is complemented by premier fruit partnerships with iconic sites such as Ciel du Cheval and Quintessence. Winemaking employs micro-lot fermentations in oak and neutral barrels, yielding structured, deeply expressive wines. The estate's benchmark portfolio is anchored by the flagship Optu Red and Optu White blends, vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignons, and varietal Malbecs.
🍇 Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon