2010 Grand Ciel Cabernet 6.0L

RED MOUNTAIN AVA

Expressing a deep and dark fruit-scented nose of black cherries and black currants layered with lavender, hoisin spice and earthy loam notes. The bouquet reveals anise seed, cedar and Provence herbs as well. The flavor mirrors this complexity with Bing cherries, raspberries, red currants, cedar spice, toasty meringue and pie dough. Structurally this wine showcases the pedigree of the vineyard.  There is a wonderful combination of concentration, elegance and a sense of perfect ripeness.  The fruit and spices bask in youthful tannins continuing to an endless finish -- I love the mouthwatering savory nature of this wine. It is built to age.

"Dark berries and minerals on the vibrant, sweet nose. Intensely flavored but light on its feet, conveying an impression of serious power without any excess weight. Dark berry fruit flavors are complicated by subtle soil tones and strong graphite minerality. This wonderfully concentrated, seamless wine finishes with noble tannins and outstanding palate-staining persistence. A good bit of this material is declassified into DeLille's D2 and Four Flags bottlings. Wonderfully suave Washington cabernet for extended cellaring." - 94 Points, Stephen Tanzer for Vinous, Nov. 2013