{"product_id":"2021-auclair-winery-96-cedars-red-columbia-valley-usa","title":"2021 Auclair Winery 96 Cedars Red, Columbia Valley, USA 🇺🇸","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"124\" data-end=\"138\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"124\" data-end=\"138\"\u003eThe Moment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"140\" data-end=\"257\"\u003eSome Bordeaux-style blends are built around ceremony.\u003cbr data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"196\"\u003eOthers are built around exactly the right night to open them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"259\" data-end=\"868\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"300\"\u003e2021 Auclair Winery 96 Cedars Red\u003c\/strong\u003e feels like the kind of bottle made for the second lane — a serious red, but one meant to be enjoyed without waiting for the perfect excuse. A \u003cstrong data-start=\"492\" data-end=\"518\"\u003eclassic Bordeaux blend\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong data-start=\"522\" data-end=\"586\"\u003eCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"593\" data-end=\"669\"\u003ea touch of Malbec added beginning in 2018 for added spice and complexity\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is the bottle made for \u003cstrong data-start=\"720\" data-end=\"741\"\u003eearlier enjoyment\u003c\/strong\u003e, calling it their \u003cstrong data-start=\"760\" data-end=\"784\"\u003e“Tuesday night” wine\u003c\/strong\u003e because everyone needs a good midweek bottle. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"870\" data-end=\"1571\"\u003eThat framing tells you a lot about where this wine lives stylistically. The 2021 vintage note on Auclair’s site says the year brought \u003cstrong data-start=\"1004\" data-end=\"1036\"\u003ewarm weather and record heat\u003c\/strong\u003e, resulting in wines with \u003cstrong data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1083\"\u003edistinct profiles\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"1088\" data-end=\"1122\"\u003econcentrated fruit and flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e. At the same time, the 96 Cedars concept is clearly about approachability rather than stern structure, which means a red that still brings Bordeaux blend depth but in a more open, immediately enjoyable shape.\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1573\" data-end=\"1595\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1573\" data-end=\"1595\"\u003eWhat It Feels Like\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1755\"\u003eThink burgers on a real plate, a roast chicken that turned into a better dinner than expected, and a bottle that feels polished without ever feeling precious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1757\" data-end=\"2315\"\u003eWhat makes this wine appealing is the blend itself. Cabernet Sauvignon gives it backbone, Merlot softens the middle, Cabernet Franc adds lift, Petit Verdot adds depth, and the small Malbec addition is there specifically for extra spice and complexity. This is the Bordeaux-style red they make for earlier drinking, which usually means a wine built to feel complete now rather than demanding patience.\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2333\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2333\"\u003eIn the Glass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2335\" data-end=\"2666\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2335\" data-end=\"2348\"\u003eAromatics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2348\" data-end=\"2351\"\u003eExpected to show dark fruit, subtle spice, and classic Bordeaux-blend character, with added lift and complexity from Cabernet Franc and a touch of Malbec. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2965\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2678\"\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2678\" data-end=\"2681\"\u003eMedium- to full-bodied, with concentrated fruit from the warm 2021 vintage and a smoother, earlier-drinking frame than Auclair’s more age-worthy bottlings. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2967\" data-end=\"3246\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2967\" data-end=\"2978\"\u003eTexture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2978\" data-end=\"2981\"\u003eApproachable and balanced, with enough Bordeaux structure to feel serious but a shape designed for earlier enjoyment. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3248\" data-end=\"3490\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3248\" data-end=\"3258\"\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3258\" data-end=\"3261\"\u003eSmooth, lightly spiced, and food-friendly, with fruit and structure carrying through the close. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3492\" data-end=\"3519\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3492\" data-end=\"3519\"\u003eWhy We Love This Bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3521\" data-end=\"3829\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3521\" data-end=\"3559\"\u003eA Bordeaux Blend Made To Be Opened\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3559\" data-end=\"3562\"\u003eThe most useful thing about this wine is that Auclair explicitly positions it for earlier enjoyment. That makes it feel less formal than many Bordeaux-inspired Washington reds, while still keeping the blend’s depth and character. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3831\" data-end=\"4093\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3831\" data-end=\"3863\"\u003eClassic Blend, Smarter Shape\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3863\" data-end=\"3866\"\u003eCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and a touch of Malbec is a very compelling mix, especially when the point is drinkability with a little extra spice and complexity. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4095\" data-end=\"4329\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4095\" data-end=\"4130\"\u003eA Strong Midweek-To-Weekend Red\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"4130\" data-end=\"4133\"\u003eThe winery’s own “Tuesday night” framing is honestly the best endorsement here. It is a bottle built to overperform in real life, not just in theory. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4331\" data-end=\"4347\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4331\" data-end=\"4347\"\u003ePair It With\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4349\" data-end=\"4438\"\u003e• Burgers\u003cbr data-start=\"4358\" data-end=\"4361\"\u003e• Roast chicken\u003cbr data-start=\"4376\" data-end=\"4379\"\u003e• Braised short ribs\u003cbr data-start=\"4399\" data-end=\"4402\"\u003e• Mushroom dishes\u003cbr data-start=\"4419\" data-end=\"4422\"\u003e• Aged cheddar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4687\" data-end=\"4706\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4687\" data-end=\"4706\"\u003eTechnical Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4708\" data-end=\"5062\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4708\" data-end=\"4721\"\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Auclair Winery\u003cbr data-start=\"4736\" data-end=\"4739\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4739\" data-end=\"4748\"\u003eWine:\u003c\/strong\u003e 96 Cedars Red\u003cbr data-start=\"4762\" data-end=\"4765\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4765\" data-end=\"4777\"\u003eVintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2021\u003cbr data-start=\"4782\" data-end=\"4785\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4785\" data-end=\"4796\"\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Columbia Valley, Washington, USA\u003cbr data-start=\"4829\" data-end=\"4832\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4832\" data-end=\"4842\"\u003eBlend:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, plus a touch of Malbec.\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5064\" data-end=\"5370\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5064\" data-end=\"5087\"\u003eWinery Style Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"5087\" data-end=\"5090\"\u003eAuclair describes 96 Cedars as its earlier-drinking Bordeaux blend and its “Tuesday night” wine. The winery’s 2021 vintage note describes the year as warm with record heat and says the results were wines with concentrated fruit and flavors. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5372\" data-end=\"5651\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5372\" data-end=\"5381\"\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium-Full\u003cbr data-start=\"5393\" data-end=\"5396\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5396\" data-end=\"5410\"\u003eStructure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concentrated fruit · approachable frame · Bordeaux-blend depth · subtle spice\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5653\" data-end=\"5901\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5653\" data-end=\"5671\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"5671\" data-end=\"5674\"\u003eDark Fruit · Spice · Bordeaux Blend Character\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5903\" data-end=\"6179\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5903\" data-end=\"5919\"\u003eDrink Window\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"5919\" data-end=\"5922\"\u003eNow–2029\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"West Seattle Wine Cellars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46235228537020,"sku":"277","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/8505\/5164\/files\/2021AuclairWinery96CedarsRed_ColumbiaValley_USA.png?v=1777074120","url":"https:\/\/the-world-s-cellar.myshopify.com\/products\/2021-auclair-winery-96-cedars-red-columbia-valley-usa","provider":"The World’s Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}