James Suckling 94
This is layered, with chewy tannins and attractive blackcurrant and blackberry character. Chocolate and walnut highlights. Full and flavorful, but not heavy in any sense of the word. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Better in a year or two.
Wine Spectator 92
This delivers a pure beam of cassis, plum purée and anise notes, offering a flash of sweet spice on the finish. Moderately toasty, with a very polished mouthfeel. Crowd pleaser. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030.
Wine & Spirits 92
Trevor Durling blends this wine from five Bordeaux varieties, focused on parcels of cabernet sauvignon and merlot on the Rutherford benchlands, with contributions including Coombsville and Carneros. He takes a detour to Howell Mountain for cabernet franc before returning to Beaulieu’s estate vineyards in Rutherford for petit verdot and malbec. It comes together in a savory wine with delicate flavor complexity and gentle Rutherford grandeur. There’s something a little salty and sweaty in it that brings to mind cilantro, pointing the wine toward carne asada with salsa fresca.
Wine Enthusiast 92
This is a blend of all five major Bordeaux red varieties, leading with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon. Licorice, toasted oak and black plum and berry wrap around intense structure and rounded richness, finishing in tobacco and plum.