5 STARS: Raymond Chan
98 POINTS (19.5/20) Raymond Chan
"Black-red with a very dark, near impenetrable heart and purple hues on the edge. The nose has great density and concentration, with size, presence and power, showing interwoven aromas of ripe blackberries, cassis, black plums, ink and plenty of oak shine with vanilla and lead pencils. Some boysenberry, plum and jam elements unfold in the glass. Extremely rich, ripe and plush, the sweetness of the fruit is the feature. Flavours of blackberries, blackcurrants, boysenberries with exotic
spicy plums fill the mouth and are supported by considerable tannin extract, the texture very fine-grained, powdery and refined, with fresh, lacy acidity lending liveliness to the mouthfeel. The tannin extraction and structure grows and carries to a sweet, super-ripe plummy finish. This is a wine of ripeness and sweetness with great structure. A blend of approx. 40% Malbec, 35% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc from ‘The Terraces’ vineyard, the fruit hand-picked and co-fermented in concrete vat, the wine aged approx. 18 months in 100% new French oak barriques."
— 98 Points (19.5/20) Raymond Chan