The Estate reserve ramps it up just a bit from the Cellar Select, but most of the flavor is herbal, leaning toward leaves and stems. The fruit is less than optimally ripe, the tannins are chewy, and the finish earthy and high toned.——P.G.(7/1/2009)—— 84

This seems at first to be a bit tough and chewy. It’s dense and herbal, but does not quite pack the pleasure. In fact, it feels a bit stripped, with tannins out in front of the fruit. It’s a bit of a mystery at the moment.——P.G.(11/15/2007)—— 86

Thin for a reserve. The fruit is watery and tart, with flavors of beetroot and a vegetal finish. Breathing time and food may help.—P.G.——P.G.(4/1/2003)—— 84

There is a solid, firm, substantive feel to this wine, and it shows nice black cherry fruit, with an underpinning of tar, leather and licorice. But it also has some rubbery flavors, that extend into the finish, and it winds up with an unpleasant bitterness that is off-putting. If you like dark, burnt coffee kinds of flavors, this will be just right.——P.G.(11/1/2001)—— 85