3 | Wine | Red Blend, 91 to 95, 2008

"The 2008 Reserva has dark cherry, cassis and graphite on the nose. The palate has a sappy nose with blackberry, raspberry and a touch of soy towards the finish. The tannins are ripe and quite “thick,” lending the 2008 admirable substance considering the vintage."

"It has a mellow bouquet of dried herbs, terracotta tiles and dusky black fruit that is very well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin: tart red berried fruit, laced with tobacco and dried herbs on the dry, crisp finish. This is a superb classical Rioja Crianza."

"Ripe, sweet fruit flavors of damson plum and black cherry mix with lively acidity and accents of date, spice box, mineral and fresh earth, while layered tannins add muscle to this elegant red."

"Reticent but pure aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice, bitter chocolate, espresso and spicy oak. Then pliant, lush and deep, with terrific inner-mouth energy and violet perfume to lift the dark berry flavors. The tannins saturate the palate and front teeth without coming across as dry. Classy, polished wine--the best yet from the team of Bruno Prats, Hubert de Bouard and Lowell Jooste. The co-owners have increased their wine's syrah percentage to great effect, as this 2008 avoids the green notes of earlier vintages without showing any syrah rusticity." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"This is another superlative performance by this wine. It is very pointed and focused, complex and ageworthy."

"Fine-tuned and expressive, yet focused, this red has terrific display of dark, racy blackberry, boysenberry and braised fig flavors finely woven with spice, mesquite and cured olive hints. Silky tannins frame the long finish, with an aftertaste of fruit and mocha. Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot."

"The 2008 Tignanello is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage. The 2008 isn’t a huge or obvious Tignanello, rather it is a wine that impresses for its sublime elegance and precision. Understated layers of fruit caress the palate like cashmere in this impeccable, soft wine. There is not a hard edge to be found. Black cherries, tobacco, smoke and licorice are some of the notes that come through on the finish. The flavor profile is decidedly on the dark side, but the wine’s structure is medium in body and intensity. In 2008 the Tignanello has more energy, focus and length than the Solaia. It is a fabulous achievement!"

"Ripe, sweet fruit flavors of damson plum and black cherry mix with lively acidity and accents of date, spice box, mineral and fresh earth, while layered tannins add muscle to this elegant red."

"Good red-ruby color. Deep aromas of plum, redcurrant, graphite and cocoa. Then plush but shapely in the mouth, with harmonious acidity framing the flavors of currant, plum, chocolate, tobacco and wild herbs. Rich and sweet but still youthfully subdued. This big, broad, restrained wine finishes with dusty tannins and excellent subtle persistence. Classy and claret-like." -Stephen Tanzer

"Only made in select years (2007 and 2003 thus far), Ode to Lorraine is a wine made in homage to Al and Cameron’s mum, who remains the “uberboss” of the operation. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz and 8% Merlot, the 2008 Ode to Lorraine spent 18 months in new and seasoned French and American hogsheads. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives intense blueberry, black currant and spice box aromas with hints of prunes, licorice and some earth. Rich and full-bodied with medium to firm grainy tannins and plenty of enlivening acid, it finishes long with layers of mulberry and spice flavors. Approachable now, it should soften more in a year or so and drink best from 2012 to 2020+."