Rich, intense aromas of cassis, stewed blackberries, blueberry jam, cloves, black olives and cocoa. It’s full-bodied and mouth-filling with firm, velvety tannins. Impressive depth and fruit extraction.
...powerful, inky and quite savory, more so than in the past. The blend of vineyard sources in Calistoga, Oak Knoll and Coombsville works so well here. Inky dark fruit, graphite, bittersweet chocolate, leather, spice and espresso are beautifully delineated. Strong savory and mineral inflections suggest there is quite a bit of fruit from cooler sites in the southern end of the valley in this blend... ...deftly balances richness and energy. ...a very serious wine...
...Saint-Emilion-like bouquet of chocolate-covered black cherry and currant fruits interwoven with a beautiful, chalky sense of minerality. Damp earth, tobacco, and loads of floral notes all make an appearance, and this full-bodied beauty has wonderful purity of fruit, good acidity, and ripe, polished tannins. It's beautifully done and will evolve for 15+ years. (August 2020)
...sports a deep garnet-purple color and—wow—jumps right out of the glass with vibrant notes of fresh black plums, wild blueberries and Morello cherries plus fragrant hints of candied violets and star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate offers beautiful purity, framed by firm, rounded tannins and a lively backbone, finishing with great length.