90 points Wine Spectator: "A big, rich, expressive style, with chewy currant, mineral, leather, blackberry and coffee flavors that are dense and concentrated, finishing with mouthcoating tannins. Best from 2004 through 2012." (06/03) 90 points Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "Ripe, herbal, high in oak and supported throughout by plenty of juicy black cherry fruit, this full-bodied, somewhat fleshy effort is supple on the palate to start and then finds some needed grip in the form of latter-palate tannins. Deep and unmistakably full of character, it trades a bit of polish for richness and mass. Give it a few years in bottle to smooth off the rough edges or try it today with savory beef roasts." (04/04)