Delivers almost unbridled plum sauce, blackberry preserve and melted licorice flavors, but keeps a smoldering edge for form while picking up alluring black tea and incense notes on the broad finish. There's a long echo of chocolate adding to this hedonist’s delight. 95 Points (Wine Spectator)
Broad, savory, rich and complex with notes of crème de cassis and vanilla, well-balanced wood, and a full-bodied, powerful, opulent style. 91 Points (Wine Advocate)
Sweet aromas of kirsch, black currants, licorice, olives, and spice box. Full-bodied power, pure fruit, and an opulent, voluptuous finish nearly conceal significant tannins. 95 Points (Robert Parker)
In the wines youth, the aroma of new oak dominates, with that smoky, minty, spicy-char note. But in the mouth the fruit explodes in intensely ripe black currants and milk chocolate. The tannins are rich and softly complex. 86 Points (Wine Spectator)
Lively, with lots of ripe boysenberry and plum notes laced liberally with anise, fruitcake and sweet toast accents throughout. Not shy with the fruit, but there’s good energy for balance. 93 Points (Wine Spectator)
An opaque jet black robe leads to a bold attack, transitioning into a weighty, layered mid-palette of infinite complexity. The finish is supple and round with good length and exquisitely forged tannins. 95 Points (Wine Enthusiast)
Polished, vibrant and distinctive, with coffee and jasmine tea accents around a supple core of cherry and red plum fruit. Nubby tannins rub gently against the long finish. 95 Points (Wine Spectator) #10 Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2013
Smoky leather and cigar make for a formidable entry on the nose before huge, layered tannins rise to the fore. A balance of acidity and brightness lurks beneath the weight, rounded by succulent blackberry and black cherry. 95 Points (Wine Enthusiast)
With a great nose of currant comfiture and cocoa powder, this full-scaled cabernet sports dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit layered with loam, cedar, tobacco, mineral and coffee. Long and authoritative finish just sails on thanks to rather regal tannins. 96 Points (Wine Spectator)
A seductive style that’s openly fruity, showing supple plum and black cherry notes, with floral scents and spices, turning creamy and gaining a mocha-espresso-vanilla scent that’s enticing. Finishes with a smooth texture, fine –grained tannins and then another burst of fruit. 97 Points (Robert Parker)