2010 Continuum Proprietary Red

Full red-ruby. Slightly high-toned, dark scents of blueberry and blackberry coulis, violet, licorice, bitter chocolate and menthol, accompanied by pungent oak tones. In the mouth, vibrant black fruit, mineral and menthol flavors are energized by a floral element. Offers a lovely impression of density without weight, thanks to its cool-vintage energy and definition. This concentrated, supple Bordeaux blend shows terrific subtle breadth, finishing with dusty tannins, a repeating menthol quality and building violet florality. Still quite young and backward. Incidentally, I preferred this wine to the 2009 at the outset for its verve, but today I'm not so sure, as this wine is more tannic and backward. My sample took on some rather liqueur-like blue and black fruit and mineral qualities after 48 hours in the recorked bottle while retaining sound energy and backbone. (92% of this wine came from estate vines on Pritchard Hill, the highest percentage to that point)

This was made from 100% Pritchard Hill fruit this year, although not all of it was estate fruit. Blended of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, the 2010 Proprietary Red is deep garnet-purple colored and sings of plums preserves, blueberry coulis, lilacs, roses and black tea with pencil shavings and unsmoked tobacco nuances. Medium to full-bodied with a very firm foundation of ripe, grainy tannins, the palate has amazing freshness and energy, finishing on a lingering earthy note.