Big, heavy, extracted, tannic and dry. That pretty much sums up this blend of all five Bordeaux varieties, with Petit Verdot in the majority. It’s potent in blackberry and black currant flavors, with an undertow of minerals. Should age well over the next eight years, without necessarily becoming more distinguished. ——S.H.(12/31/2011)—— 90

There’s a lot of funkiness in this wine, which smells like sweaty leather. The flavors are deep and spicy, and the tannins are rich and fine, but that funkiness is a turnoff.——S.H.(8/1/2011)—— 84

Crisp acidity and firm tannins give a framework to this massively fruity, rather extracted blend of all five Bordeaux varieties. Without that structure, it would be all jammy cherries and currants. Fine now with a grilled steak, and for the next several years.——S.H.(3/1/2009)—— 88