2012 Descendant

(co-fermented and aged in used French oak barrels for 18 months): Bright violet color. Cherry-cola, black raspberry, candied licorice and incense on the explosively perfumed nose. Stains the palate with sappy black and blue fruit liqueur flavors energized by peppery spices and a suave floral quality. Appealingly sweet and concentrated, finishing with excellent power and energy and slowly building, fine-grained tannins.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Descendent offers gorgeously pure notes of violets, vanilla and cinnamon stick over a core of black cherry, blackberry and wild blueberry notes plus and hint of cloves. Full-bodied, concentrated and built like a brick house, the spectrum of flavors, ripe, abundant tannins, clever balance and epically long finish make this a Descendent that rivals its forefather.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Descendent offers gorgeously pure notes of violets, vanilla and cinnamon stick over a core of black cherry, blackberry and wild blueberry notes plus and hint of cloves. Full-bodied, concentrated and built like a brick house, the spectrum of flavors, ripe, abundant tannins, clever balance and epically long finish make this a Descendent that rivals its forefather. Jun 2015, www.robertparker.com