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"The early aroma includes notes of buttered almond, baked peach cobbler, and herbs; aeration allows the aroma to become pleasantly fruity, toffee-like, caramel popcorn-like. Palate entry displays plenty of spirit structure but no fire or rawness; it’s at midpalate that the flavor profile develops as toasty, semisweet, dried fruit tastes of raisins, peaches, orange peel, and nuts take command. Concludes semisweet, lip smacking, and peppery. Best Buy." 85-89 pts.

"Rich purple with black hues. A deeply fruitful nose, with complex black cherry aromas. Excellent volume in the mouth with medium structure and velvety tannins lead to a harmonious finish."

"Black garnet in hue, concentrated aromas of black currant, blackberry and lavender delight. Freshly cut flowers, cedar, caramel and violets entice the palate. The fruit is pure and elegant, displaying faceted layers of dark cherry, cassis and plum. Velvety tannins wave together with layers of milk cocoa, anise and graphite to create a charming and lengthy finish."

"The 2009 Profile bursts on the palate with an exciting array of black fruit, smoke, tar, licorice and grilled herbs. It is a muscular wine endowed with considerable depth and richness, but despite its obvious size, all of the elements are in harmony. This big boy will need some cellaring, but it is beautiful."

"The soulful notes of currant, tobacco and chocolate in our deep ruby Merlot precede a velvety drinkability. Lushly intense, the wine reveals layers of red cherry, plum, raspberry, strawberry and violet."

"The delicious 2011 Pinot Gris offers up notes of green apple skins, lemon rind, orange and fig. It possesses serious flavor depth, a zesty, dry, un-oaked personality, and 12 months of drinkability."