California

(14.4% alcohol): Bright, dark red, with an almost opaque middle. Aromas of plum, mocha, milk chocolate and graphite along with a suggestion of cabbage and a slightly decadent underbrush quality. Supple, savory wine showing more texture than sweetness. Ultimately a bit diffuse and lacking in definition and grip; despite its decent energy, my bottle began to display some nutty hints of oxidation with time in the glass. Based on this bottle, I'd enjoy this wine in the next couple years.

-- Stephen Tanzer 89 Stephen Tanzer 2017 - 2020 Not Available Sep 2017

Rating

99+

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2011 - 2031

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

2nd May 2011

Source

195, The Wine Advocate

A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc, this is the most open-knit, Pomerol-like wine of the tasting. Ripe and exuberant, it offers up notes of kirsch, blackberry liqueur, mocha, espresso and chocolate. A dense purple color with the same saturation point as the 2001, but with a totally different personality, it is a friendly, endearing, voluptuous, silky, viscous, hedonistic yet compelling wine of great complexity. Enjoy it now and over the next 20 years. I originally rated it 98 points.