($90): The packaging — heavy bottle, name starting with “The”– had two strikes against before I even pulled the cork.  But, as the saying goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover.  This luxurious Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is stunning.  Silky tannins make the cornucopia of flavors easy to appreciate and savor.   Not surprisingly, for a wine of this stature, it blossoms as the flavors unfold over an hour.  Along with the usual mixture of red and black fruit flavors, a hint of smoke and savory notes adds to the allure.  And it finishes just ever so slightly bitter because this is serious stuff, not an over ripe fruit bomb.
95 Michael Apstein Oct 6, 2015