92 Points | International Wine Cellar , May/June 2012

Bright red-ruby.  Slightly high-toned aromas of currant, coffee, mocha and graphite.  Sexy oak complements but does not overwhelm ripe flavors of raspberry, currant and spices.  Finishes very supple and long, with suave tannins and a building floral element.  Today, this seems in the same quality class as the much more expensive Few and Far Between cabernet--and a step up in quality from the '08 Fortunate Son, which showed some porty surmaturite, more overt oakiness and less energy.  (Incidentally, the 2007 version of this wine, though not as clearly delineated as the 2009, offers outstanding depth and lushness, enticing black raspberry and chocolate flavors, and the serious tannins to support a slow evolution in bottle.  I rated this wine 91 points, and it's delicious already for its glossy texture.)

94 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate