Limited Colgin Cabernet available. 96 points, Robert Parker: "The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill is virtually all Cabernet Sauvignon except for tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It offers up gorgeous aromas of lavender, creme de cassis, violets, toast, incense and camphor. Layered, full-bodied and rich with great purity, focus and symmetry, this stunning effort from one of the tenderloin corridors of Napa Valley can be drunk early on or cellared for another 25-30 years... ...There are a lot of magnificent estates with Shangri-La-like beauty spread throughout California, and the Colgin property is in the top ten list for spectacular views as well as top quality. Sitting atop Pritchard Hill with stunning views of Lake Hennessey and the surrounding mountains, their IX Estate Vineyard is on a steep, intimidating hillside. It is one of the must-see attractions in Northern California, if not the entire state. The longstanding winemaking team of Ann Colgin, Allison Tauziet and Bordeaux consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud has produced some magnificent wines over the years (the 2001s, 2002s, 2005s, 2007s and 2008s) as well as amazing efforts in 2009, 2010 and 2012. There are three Bordeaux blend offerings, one from their Tychson Hill estate vineyard off Highway 29, north of St. Helena, and the second, the IX Estate blend. The Cariad is fashioned from a blend of grapes purchased from a number of David Abreu-s well-known and highly respected vineyards. There is also a fourth wine, the IX Estate Syrah, which is often a dead-ringer for a great Northern Rhone. In 2010, March and early April were very cold, but normal conditions persisted over the summer with no heat spikes, and September and October were ideally warm. The results include some spectacular wines that are among the finest I have ever tasted from Colgin. The 2011s were the result of a Draconian-like sorting procedure in both the vineyard and the winery, and significant bleeding of the tanks to concentrate the wines. The wines have turned out well, although as I might expect they are lighter and less significant than the other vintages reviewed. 2012 promises to be a spectacular vintage. This was a big as well as ripe crop (without over-ripeness), and the growing conditions were nearly ideal. In the past, I have underrated Colgin-s Syrahs only to have them in blind tastings later and be blown away by just how profound they are. They are completely different from any other California Syrahs and have an affinity to some of the great 100% single vineyard Syrahs from Michel Chapoutier and the up-and-coming firm of Delas."
Greg Gregory
Byob. Wowsa! This was TOTAL infanticide. A monumental wine in the making but don't even think of drinking this for a decade.
Byob. Wowsa! This was TOTAL infanticide. A monumental wine in the making but don't even think of drinking this for a decade.
9.7vinokeeno
2010 vintage. Decent enuff nose. Medium-heavy/heavy body. Tasted over the course of two hours after a decant. Throwing a little bit of sed. Bright, ripe cherry note screaming throughout the palate experience that I just couldn't minimize. Picked up a little bit of spice "componentry" on the back end/finish but it merely acted as a period by concluding the experience vs starting an entirely new paragraph. Overall, beautifully made and fairly smooth but seemed to be missing those extra levels of complexity that wines, such as this, are renowned for. Perhaps it'll show better in another few years. 3.12.23.
2010 vintage. Decent enuff nose. Medium-heavy/heavy body. Tasted over the course of two hours after a decant. Throwing a little bit of sed. Bright, ripe cherry note screaming throughout the palate experience that I just couldn't minimize. Picked up a little bit of spice "componentry" on the back end/finish but it merely acted as a period by concluding the experience vs starting an entirely new paragraph. Overall, beautifully made and fairly smooth but seemed to be missing those extra levels of complexity that wines, such as this, are renowned for. Perhaps it'll show better in another few years. 3.12.23.
9.3Tom Garland
1.5 hour decant(lots fine/cloudy sediment). A breathtaking dark ruby red color. On the nose: expressive aromatics of sour cherry, cinnamon, blueberry, floral, slight funky dry forest floor, spice. Taste: smooth, creamy, thick, concentrated wine with cassis, blueberry, graphite, minerals, and a long spiced chocolate finish. YUM!
1.5 hour decant(lots fine/cloudy sediment). A breathtaking dark ruby red color. On the nose: expressive aromatics of sour cherry, cinnamon, blueberry, floral, slight funky dry forest floor, spice. Taste: smooth, creamy, thick, concentrated wine with cassis, blueberry, graphite, minerals, and a long spiced chocolate finish. YUM!
9.4Erin Pooley
Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines
Softer more floral of the four wines.
Softer more floral of the four wines.
Brett Wise
Plum and black cherry in balanced acid.
Plum and black cherry in balanced acid.
9.3Greg Gregory
Your killing me!!
Your killing me!!
9.4WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.