92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright red-ruby. Complex, subtle aromas of currants, spices, flowers, loam and meat. Velvety-smooth in the mouth but given clarity by lovely acids. This is quite intensely flavored but extremely elegant and understated, with a complete absence of hard edges. Intriguing mineral and floral nuances in the mouth. Very long, subtly fruity aftertaste features completely buffered tannins. This is exactly the kind of cabernet that might be underappreciated in a blind tasting against darker, more powerfully tannic examples from Napa Valley, but it a thoroughly compelling wine that complements rather than overwhelms food. (6/1998)