Tasting Note
92-95 Points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Cuvee #5, from the bottom of the hill: Deep red-ruby. Knockout nose of blackberry, violet and brown spices. Smoky and wild, with a lush texture, moderate density and an element of smoked meat. Firmly tannic. Cuvee #4: Good deep red-ruby. Blackberry, spices and herbs on the nose. Moderately sweet and dense, with good depth of dark fruit, mocha and smoked ham flavors. Finishes broader and longer than #1 if a bit youthfully clenched, with a note of chocolatey torrefaction and uncompromising dryness. Cuvee #3: Deep red-ruby. Wild berries, minerals and a peppery nuance on the sexy nose. Juicy and penetrating, with lovely inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of red and black fruits, minerals and crushed stone. At once supple and juicy. Finishes with peppery tannins and superb persistence. A terrific sample. Cuvee #2: Deep ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of redcurrant, plum and tobacco. The biggest, lushest and sweetest of these components today, yet this manages to retain a sappy quality thanks to harmonious acidity. Finishes with substantial oaky torrefaction but rather soft tannins. An approximation of the final blend: Bright ruby-red. Highly complex nose melds dark raspberry, mocha, brown spices, minerals, smoked meat and earth. Sweet on entry, then full and delineated, conveying an impression of weightlessness. The spice character contributes juiciness to this very elegant, silky wine. Finishes vibrant and quite subtle, with a hint of torrefaction and terrific minerally persistence. An almost magical blend, as it seems every bit as good as its strongest single component.Review Date: 01 Mar 08
