91 pts Vinous/Stephen Tanzer July 2017 (two-thirds French oak): Bright dark red. Lively aromas of blackberry, licorice and violet accented by a sexy peppery element. A touch herbal but quite subtle on the palate, showing a darker fruit character than the Cabernet Sauvignon. Lovely finesse of texture here–and the herbacity ultimately fades nicely into the wine’s fruit. Tightly wound in the early going but suave and persistent.