Deep straw color with aromas of melon and clay, honeysuckle and peach. Rich texture with apple, melon and waxy white fruit flavors on the palate. Lengthy finish.

Aromas of berries, florals and clay. Soft texture, fine bead. Strawberry, mineral and rose petal flavors.

A bit reticent at first, with muddled orchard fruit and acetone qualities. This was one of the first wines tasted and I had a hunch this just needed some time to open up. Coming back to it a couple of hours later at the end of dinner, this had opened nicely with aromas of pear, beeswax, almond and mineral. Rich texture, with waxy white fruit and blanched almond flavors. Nice long finish. Older Hermitage Blanc needs time to open- these aren't typical pop & pour whites! 92-93 pts.

Briefly decanted off its sediment before being rebottled for travel. Dusty garnet color with a little bricking. Dominant notes of cherry and plum, with herbal undertones. Balanced, with plum, red fruit and spice tones on the palate. Drinking well now. 91+ pts.

Received just a brief decant off its sediment before being rebottled for travel. Crimson color, some bricking at the edge. Aromas of mint, plum, red fruit and herbs. Minty red fruit flavors with nice integration on the palate. I see no reason to hold these any longer. 90+ pts.

Deep garnet color. Aromas of red currant, mint and smoke with a subtle meaty note too. Full-bodied, with medium tannins nice balance and flavors of red fruit carrying the finish.

Deep garnet color with notes of mint, loamy soil, green pepper, plum and red berries. Medium- to full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruit, eucalyptus, black pepper and loam. Slightly chalky tannins. Long finish. 93-94 pts.

Opaque purple/garnet color with aromas of violets, blue fruit, boysenberry, flowers and bacon. Full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruit, white pepper and berries; hints of bacon here as well. Nicely balanced despite its power; finishes very well.

Garnet color. Notes of cherry, berries and ruby red grapefruit. Full-bodied with firm tannins and red fruit flavors dominating the palate. Finish is on the short side.

Inky color. Aromas of dark fruit, florals, plums and spice with terrific meaty overtones. Full-bodied with firm, yet slightly sweet approachable tannins. Blackberry, plum and spice tones; long finish.

Corked.