1 | Wine | Page 704

"The 2009 Clos de la Roche comes across as big, powerful and a touch heavy-handed. This shows tons of richness and depth but lacks the sheer excitement of the estate’s finest wines. The Clos de la Roche is made from purchased wine." 92-95 pts.

"Licorice, horehound, spruce, raspberry, and red currant inform an athletically lean, bright and penetratingly finishing Pinot that deserves some time before revisiting and will surely be worth following for at least a decade."

"Yeasty and rich, with powerful pear and white peach aromas and pungent notes of toasted bread and sweet butter. Very fresh and clean, with lively citrus-dominated flavors, a hint of candied pear and gentle, enlivening acidity. This gained richness and weight with air, finishing on a ripe note of orchard fruit."

"Bright medium ruby. Restrained but pure aromas of blackcurrant, bitter chocolate, mocha and peppery herbs. Dense, sappy and deep, boasting a seamlessness in spite of its musky dark berry flavors accented by pepper and herbs. Classic, satisfying and complete cabernet, with a lush, round texture, excellent breadth and length, and very suave, fine-grained tannins. This could do some damage in a blind flight of top Napa cabernets. A steal at the price." -Stephen Tanzer