Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 95 points

The 2009 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard (81.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16.7% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that achieved 14.9% alcohol) exhibits a beautiful perfume of scorched earth, chocolate, espresso beans, creme de cassis, plums and Asian spices. Full-bodied, deep and just beginning to strut its stuff, with formidable tannins in the finish, it has 20-25 years of upside potential.

Review date: October 2013

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 97 points

Good deep ruby-red. Reticent but very pure aromas of blueberry, cassis, violet, mocha and minerals. Sweet, broad and wonderfully deep, with dark berry and mineral flavors complicated by a soil-driven saline note. Utterly seamless and consistent from start to fully ripe, aromatic, extremely long finish. The major tannins coat the teeth, but make those of the 2010 version seem almost dry by comparison.

Review date: May 2012