Wine Enthusiast 91 points - Not very pleasant now due to the sharpness and bitterness of the texture, as well as the wood tannins that come from aging in 100% new oak. The flavors are of primary fruit blackberries, cherries and black currants. This is a big wine now lacking in polish, but it should develop in the cellar and begin to acquire bottle bouquet after 2012, continuing to glide through 2018 or so. S.H. (Mar 2010)
Wine Spectator 95 points - Pure, rich and focused, full-bodied and concentrated, showing firm black cherry and blackberry fruit, with black olive, sage, dusty earth and mineral hints. Gains depth and complexity, with a long, persistent finish. Best from 2010 through 2017. 1,500 cases made. –JL (Oct 15 2009)
