A step up from the Vin du Lac Merlot, this includes 16% Merlot and 8% Malbec in the blend, and profits from it, with dusty, sweet fruit that is not overwhelmed by the new oak. In the mouth, details from the 22 months it was aged in barrel begin to emerge, it’s not just a wash of vanilla and chocolate, but shows added complexity and texture.——P.G.(9/1/2009)—— 88

Soft and approachable, this chocolaty wine has an almost Pinot-like delicacy to the fruit. It’s darker of course, and lavishly oaked, but somehow the buttery caramel barrel flavors do not entirely overwhelm the fruit, which is tart and spicy and sharp. Perhaps a bit less oak would have been optimal, but it’s drinking well and offers pleasing, complimentary flavors of fruit, butter and oak.——P.G.(3/1/2008)—— 86

Licorice and sweet grape flavors dominate; the fruits remain sweet, primary flavors, like blueberry compote. The blend is a four grape Bordeaux mix, lacking only Merlot, and it was given 21 months in almost entirely new French oak, hence the strong licorice note. It could merit a higher score with additional bottle age. ——P.G.(3/1/2007)—— 88