Glugs out of the bottle as thick as mineral oil, a hint to the viscous texture. Don’t chill this too much, because it will stun the intensely rich botrytis and apricot preserves aromas, with their edge of wild honey and cinnamon. The ultimate impression is in the mouth, where the apricot and pear tart flavors drink like a nectary syrup, but are relieved with…
— S.H.
(6/1/2003)
Tremendous depth and complexity, with red and black stone fruits, berries, spices and herbs. Layers of anise, chocolate, oak. Tannins are rich, thick, soft and negotiable now. Huge wine.
— S.H.
(7/1/2006)
The bouquet of this wine made me very happy. Pure, intense raspberry-cherry, with spicy clove, cinnamon, vanilla. Fine and alluring. Tons of raspberry fruit in the mouth, with a roast coffee earthiness. Dry, clean, supple, elegant. A chef’s dream. Delicate, powerful, uplifted.
— S.H.
(6/1/2005)
Powerful aromas of smoke, vanilla, peach, citrus and oak. Very rich and full-bodied, with deep, pure fruit flavors. Bone dry and complex, with exquisite balance and control.
— S.H.
(10/1/1999)
Ripe, rich, forward and exotic. From an American pioneer of Rhône varietals, the wine offers an intriguing and exciting blend of spice, apricot, peach, melon and herb components.
— J.M.
(12/15/2002)
Clearly a winner, a wine that shows its terroir in the mineral, slate, vanilla and cotton candy aromas. The flavor is hard to describe, sort of a mix of tapioca, rasberry puree and gunflint. Very acidic and crisp, with a long, firm and steely finish that cries out for rich, complex foods.
— S.H.
(6/1/2003)
Big roasted coffeebean aroma, also mulch, wet earth, forest floor, truffles, chocolate, bark, wild red forest berries. Sweet, smooth, supple, dry, chocolatey on the palate, with a potent core of anisette-soaked cherries. Velvety mouthfeel, very nice.
— S.H.
(6/1/2005)
A startingly interesting wine that opens with powerful aromas of peaches and all sort of meaty, beefy, truffly and mushroomy complexities. Marked by crisp, vibrant acids that boost the stone fruit flavors and make them punchy. Dry, complex and compelling.
— S.H.
(6/1/2003)