88 Points | International Wine Cellar , May/June 2011

(almost entirely from purchased fruit, rather than "leftovers" from the estate, according to assistant winemaker Matt Crafton; includes 8% merlot for earlier drinkability):  Good ruby-red.  Classic cabernet aromas of cassis, blueberry, licorice, menthol and mint.  Begins tight but becomes more pliant with air, showing firm but fine tannins that come off as less rustic than those of some past releases of this wine.  Crafton noted that as of vintage 2008 the team no longer has to pump the must into the press, and they now benefit from smaller fermentation tanks, which allow for more precise harvesting.  They're also making more use of delestage (rack-and-return) to try to integrate the oak element earlier.