90-93 Points | International Wine Cellar , May/June 2011

(from five-year-old vines; blended with 25% cabernet sauvignon):  Medium ruby.  Subdued but pure aromas of blackberry, violet, licorice, menthol and mint.  The strong mineral and menthol notes carry through on the palate, along with a distinctly saline savory quality and a hint of bitter chocolate.  The strong tannins arrive late, but this very young and rich wine will nonetheless need bottle aging to reveal its complexity.  Winemaker Smith notes that the cabernet franc on this estate was picked at nearly 26 degrees Brix in 2009, riper than the cabernet sauvignon.

94 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate