2013 Illustration
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Tasting notes
The 2013 Illustration Proprietary Red, 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, is a beauty. Dense ruby/purple, the wine offers up mocha, coffee bean, white chocolate, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit in a full-bodied, opulent, lusty style. Some light tannin in the finish gives the wine some grip, but this is a wine to drink now and over the next 10-12 years.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A more savory expression of Merlot emerges from the 2013 Illustration. Hudson and Stagecoach are the primary sources, which explains the wine's distinct ferrous personality. Smoke, leather, licorice and grilled herbs are some of the overtones that develop as this dark, large-scaled Merlot-based red shows off its explosive personality and breadth.
Graphite, smoke, tobacco, plums, cedar and savory herbs are laced together in the 2013 Illustration, Blackbird's Merlot-based red. Today the 2013 is a bit compact, yet it presents lovely overall balance along with enough energy to make me think it will likely flesh out during elevage.