A 15.1% alcohol bruiser, this is beautifully made. The Stillwater Creek vineyard fruit tastes like fresh-picked blackberries, with firm acids and underlying minerality that keeps it clean and fresh right through the finish.——P.G.(11/1/2009)—— 89

The high alcohol (15.5%) and pruney character suggests that this was picked late—a bit too late to retain any elegance. The acids are sharp and citric and not well integrated, leaving the fruit almost invisible. Decanting opens it up a bit; this is an excellent vineyard, but it has not been all that well served here.——P.G.(3/1/2009)—— 85