Pearson's Notes

78% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. The 2008 Columbia Valley Merlot offers up aromas of balsam wood, spice box, tobacco, violets, cassis, and blackberry. Savory on the palate, ifslightly austere, another 1-2 years of bottle should fill the wine out. It will drink well through 2023.

Wine Spectator - 90 points

Prickly tannins and a tang of acidity play against blackberry and cedary spice flavors in this firm red, which is nicely filled out, finishing with persistence. Drink now through 2015. 9,500 cases made.

Wine Enthusiast - 91 points

This wine gets the all-star treatment, blending fruit from 14 vineyards, and aging it in 60% new French oak. It’s a substantial, muscular effort, with dark fruit, earth and tar components. A small addition of Petit Verdot darkens the color and thickens the tannins. There is just a hint of alcoholic burn in the finish.

Wine Advocate - 91 points