Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Deep garnet with a hint of remaining purple to the color, the 2007 Era Proprietary Red Wine is still sporting bags of black fruit preserves on the nose with notions of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry pie and Black Forest cake plus hints of cedar chest, baking spices and potpourri. Big, rich, full-bodied and with a firm yet plush texture, it has a racy line lifting the generous fruit to a very long, spicy finish. 94+ (LPB)

(08/2018)

Wine Enthusiast

The richness of this wine is immediately evident. It defines lushness, opulence, velvety ripeness, complexity, in short, Napa Bordeaux at its heady best. It's not subtle, offering waves of blackberry jam, black currant and chocolate flavors, but it's so good, you just can't keep from drinking it. And after all, that's the first duty of wine. Only 550 cases produced.

(12/2010)

Wine Spectator

A wine of considerable magnitude, firm, intense and powerful, with a dense, chewy core of herb- and mineral-laced blackberry, crème de cassis, black licorice and mocha-laced oak. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2013 through 2023. 525 cases made. (JL, Web only-2011)

James Suckling

Very typical Napa Cabernet with lots of juicy ripe fruit, vanilla, light hints of herbs, and coffee undertones. Full bodied, round and velvety with a deep center palate. Give this three or four years to mellow. Pull the cork after 2014. 14+23+23+33. Find the wine

(04/2011)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright, dark ruby-red. Perfumed, showy nose offers black cherry, licorice, graphite and spices. Broad and creamy on entry, then a bit imploded in the middle palate, showing a slightly medicinal quality to the dark fruit and licorice flavors. Less fruity and sweet today than the 2008 version, but with a serious tannic structure for aging. In a distinctly closed stage. 90+ (ST)

(05/2011)