95 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
 Saturated ruby-red. Wonderfully complex, deep aromas of plum, currant, licorice, smoke, dark chocolate and spices. Superconcentrated, round, sweet and creamy, with highly complex flavors of plum, dark chocolate, minerals and leather. This offers breadth and palate coverage rare for Merlot that's not grown on the Pomerol plateau. The rising finish boasts superb breadth and length. A great California Merlot.  (6/2005)