93-95 Barrel sample. Huge black currant flavors, very ripe fruit, but also a great sense of balance, of proportion that give this wine both charm and impressiveness. It's going to age seriously, and well.
— R.V.
(6/20/2006)
There is a great link here between the tannins, delicious red berry fruits and blackcurrants and the almost architectural structure. The wine certainly has fine fruit, a great balance, very complete, finishing gently, ripe and soft.
— R.V.
(12/16/2007)
93-95 Barrel sample. A firm, complex wine, solidly based on ripe tannins, dark flavors. There is some spice and juiciness to fit with the dense tannins.
— R.V.
(8/9/2010)
93-95. Barrel sample. A dark and brooding wine, its fruit is firmly embedded in the tannins. The wine seems to hold its fire, and is both dense and concentrated.
— R.V.
(5/11/2012)
With its big fruit, and hearty tannins, this is a powerful, ripe wine, having great sweet blackberry flavors, a touch of smoke and a black fruit core. Round and opulent, this is a generous wine already.
— R.V.
(6/1/2008)
92-94 Barrel sample. A big, concentrated, powerful wine, yet also one restrained by elegant fresh fruits. There is plenty of style here, a complex mix of fruits, acidity and balanced tannins.
— R.V.
(12/31/2009)
92-94 A luxurious wine, acidity and sweet plum fruits rolling together into a fine, beautiful structure. It has toughness, to be sure, while it is the glamorous surface that is immediately attractive.
— R.V.
(6/25/2011)
Initially generous, the wine then becomes much more solid and dense. The structure is all there along with the ripest fruit. It is delicious and darkly tannic at the same time.
— R.V.
(2/1/2012)