2012 Sloan Estate
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Tasting notes
During my visit, I was also able to taste a bottle of the 2012 Proprietary Red, which is firing on all cylinders today. Gorgeous aromatics of currants, iron, Asian spice, and black olive all define the nose, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, graceful mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. This is a regal, majestic effort offering incredible purity and length. It's clearly in its prime drinking window yet should easily have another 15 years of prime drinking followed by a gradual decline. Drink 2025-2040.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
Deep garnet colored with a hint of purple, the 2012 Proprietary Red bursts from the glass with flamboyant red and black cherry preserves, warm cassis, baked plums and blueberry compote scents with touches of Indian spices, fragrant earth, pencil lead and Ceylon tea plus a waft of cedar chest. Built like a skyscraper, the full-bodied palate is completely packed with black fruit and savory layers with a very firm, grainy frame and loads of freshness, finishing very long and very earthy. A behemoth of a wine—this is one for the hedonists!
A focused and generous red with a nightness and firmness undernearth. Full body. Beautiful tension. Drink or hold.
About the producer
Sloan’s 13-acre estate vineyard, composed of mineral-rich, fractured volcanic rock and sandy loam, is located high in the eastern hills of Rutherford. Their inaugural vintage was 2000 and since it has grown a tremendous cult following for those lucky enough to get their hands on a few bottles.