1 | Wine | Shiraz / Syrah, 91 to 95, 2009

"Compelling nose offers black cherry, black raspberry, bacon fat, smoked meat and white pepper. Thick but lively on entry, then superconcentrated in the middle, with a fascinating sweetness and perfume to the black fruit and pepper flavors. Finishes very long and brisk, with a suggestion of candied fruit, serious but ripe tannins, and lovely smoky persistence. A beauty." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Inky purple. Sexy aromas of candied dark berries, violet and Moroccan spices, with a bright mineral overtone. Lively and precise on the palate, which offers sweet dark berry flavors and gently chewy texture. Shows very good intensity on the finish, which clings with lingering minerality and spiciness. These vines are mostly in Mauves, according to Philippe Guigal."

"Inky purple. Exotic bouquet combines wild dark berry, cherry compote and licorice, lifted by notes of potpourri and cracked pepper. At once dense and juicy, with a compelling sweetness to its intense blackberry, boysenberry and violet pastille flavors. Bright acidity and a deep Moroccan spice quality give this wine energy and aromatic persistence. The blue fruits continue on the finish, which refuses to let up." -Stephen Tanzer

"Ripe and fleshy, but invigorating from start to finish, with racy, iron-tinged acidity carrying the delicious mix of blackberry, plum and fig fruit. The long, tar- and white pepper-tinged finish has nice grip."

"Firm, focused and juicy with currant and plum fruit that mingles with coffee and toasted bread notes as the finish lingers against well-integrated tannins."