92 pts Wine Spectator 11/15/10
Tight-grained, featuring tangy maduro tobacco, black currant and black olive notes out front for now, while the core of darker fig paste, tar and ganache waits in reserve. A lovely roasted edge adds definition to the finish, while not sacrificing purity or drive. Should stretch out nicely in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Best from 2011 through 2014.
93 (+?) pts Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Mar/Apr 2011
(61% cabernet sauvignon, 30% shiraz and 9% merlot; 15% alcohol): Bright, deep ruby-red. Vibrant, precise aromas of cassis, black cherry, licorice, bitter chocolate, minerals, mint and sexy oak, plus a whiff of tar. Then sweet, chewy and very deep, with a compellingly lush texture giving it surprising early appeal. The biggest and deepest of this set of wines, and the longest, finishing with noble tannins and exceptional building sweetness. Offers wonderful richness and concentration without undue weight. Built for a long and graceful evolution in bottle. |