93-95 Modern in style, with its new wood flavors dominant, this is a tight wine at this stage, packed with tannins, the fruit a ripe promise for the future. Big and dark, juicy flavors show through finally.
— R.V.
(6/25/2011)
A ripe wine, very open and smooth. The tannins are dark, but it is the fruit—blackberry and red plums—that comes right through. Look beneath this charm, and there is also a wine with more structure, perfumed and ageworthy.
— R.V.
(2/1/2012)
92-94 Barrel sample. An impressively dense wine, flowing with black fruits, firm, dark tannins and great ripe flavors. The layers of wood just hint at their supporting roles, while the acidity gives the wine a final lift.
— R.V.
(6/20/2006)
Big wood, big fruit—there are no half measures here. The wine is spicy from the tannins and wood, the fruit is densely black with red berry tinges, and the power is evident throughout. This wine has weight.
— R.V.
(6/1/2008)
92-94 Barrel sample. Smoky, tobacco aromas, a wine that slowly reveals its powerful fruits, its tense tannins and a dry, very firm structure. Impressive.
— R.V.
(12/31/2009)
Very structured, its acidity allowing freshness while the dominant tannins give weight. The fruit lies comfortably underneath, the current bitter edge sure to be integrated over a few years. For medium-term aging.
— R.V.
(4/1/2011)
91–93. Barrel sample. This spicy wine, aged in new wood, is rich and full with blackberry flavors. It’s opulent in texture with layers of new oak that reverberate through the wine.
— R.V.
(4/9/2013)
A modern, smooth wine, with polished fruit and a dark purple color. The wine is full of new wood, but still dominated by liquorice and dark chocolate flavors. It should develop relatively quickly, over the next 10 years.
— R.V.
(6/1/2003)