92-94 Barrel sample. This is full of intensely ripe fruit, but seductively balanced with the fresh acidity. The wine is solid, but also lively, with dusty tannins layered with some new wood flavors.
— R.V.
(6/20/2006)
92-94 Barrel sample. Ripe, initially soft, the sweet fruits bubbling from the glass. There is, of course, a dry element as well, the core very firm and dark, but always juicy.
— R.V.
(8/9/2010)
91-93 Barrel sample. Strong wood flavors are the opening of this wine. But the bright berry fruit is sufficient to give richness. The final flavors are of fresh, lifted acidity.
— R.V.
(12/31/2009)
Big, firmly tannic wine, smoky and warm, with great swathes of black currant fruit. It is firmly structured, but it is the rich sweet fruits that are the attraction.
— R.V.
(2/1/2012)
90-92. Barrel sample. A rounded rich wine, showing the juicy fruit of the year along with rich tannins. It is spicy, lively and impressive.
— R.V.
(5/11/2012)
90–92. Barrel sample. Richly textured and weighty, this dark, dense, black-plum flavored wine is accented by black-coffee notes along with fragrant acidity.
— R.V.
(4/11/2013)
influence of über-consultant Michel Rolland is evident in this wine; a superripe, dense wine with vibrant juicy fruits, plenty of black currant and eucalyptus flavors and a long, smooth aftertaste.
— R.V.
(6/1/2007)