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Tasting notes
(54% petit verdot and 46% cabernet franc): Good medium-deep red. Deep on the nose but less aromatic than the flagship bottling, hinting at licorice, flowers and wild herbs. Sweeter and plumper in the mouth, with very good chewy intensity to the dark fruit and licorice flavors. Bigger than the flagship bottling but without that wine's class. A bit tough on the finish, showing substantial tannins that coat the teeth and the sound acidity to promote slow development in bottle. The petit verdot element is "quite square," notes Alan Viader, and thus this wine always requires more frequent racking during its elevage.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(a 70/30 blend of petit verdot and cabernet sauvignon) Deep red. Aromas of blueberry, black cherry and licorice. Chewier but less sweet than the Proprietary Red, with a strong licorice component as well as some wild herbs. Seems much less expressive today, even a bit youthfully tough, and finishes with serious tannins. On this day, I had a clear preference for the estate's flagship wine. This was fermented in cement tanks and aged in 100% new barrels.