94 Points | International Wine Cellar , March/April 2011

Good bright red-ruby. Complex nose melds ripe red cherry, plums macerated in alcohol, licorice, tar, ink, dried herbs and sweet balsamic oak. Sweet, concentrated and nicely fresh, with flavors of red berries, licorice, mocha, smoke and balsamic vinegar. Harmonious acidity keeps this very big, ripe wine from coming off as flabby or cloying, and huge, smooth tannins provide backbone and support. Finishes long and magically mouthcoating; this wine will remind many of an Amarone.

95 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate