Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

'Sleek and elegant, the wine is blessed with fine tannins and supple texture, and its blackberry, plum, cassis, chocolate and herb flavors flood the palate in a rush that finishes long and luxuriously. Top-notch Merlot.' - Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Dec 2001)

'Impressive. Espresso-style, deeply concentrated Merlot, boasting a core of rich currant, coffee, black cherry and anise. Firms up on the finish, where a touch of bay leaf adds complexity to the flavor profile. Drink now through 2006.' - James Laube, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Sep 2000)

'Very deep ruby-blue. Highly aromatic nose of black cherry, black raspberry, espresso and Valrhona chocolate. Sweet, dense and highly concentrated but with lovely juicy acidity giving the primary black cherry flavor uncanny vibrancy. Impressively fat for the year. Very long, sappy, firmly tannic finish. Some of this juice will go into the Reserve Claret. A great showing in light of the vintage-in fact, this is more impressive today than the '97 merlot.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (May 2000)

'The dark ruby/purple-colored 1998 Merlot (a blend of 64% Napa and 36% Sonoma fruit) exhibits copious quantities of toasty new oak in the bouquet in addition to deep, chewy, blackberry and cherry aromas. There is excellent richness, medium to full body, adequate acidity, and a forward appeal. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (Dec 2000)