2004  Proximus, Carneros

2005  

"This 525-case blend of 90% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon shows notes of white chocolate, mocha, black cherry, and new barrique smells. It is well-made, still somewhat oaky, with medium to full-bodied flavors and a nice, structured style, especially for a Merlot. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this put on a bit of weight once some tannin melts away and turn out to be outstanding." - 89+pts WA

2000  

"Pleasantly balanced, with a mix of rich herb, tar, currant, tobacco and coffee, gaining depth and holding its focus on a long, concentrated finish. 300 cases made." - 90pts WS

2011  

"Juicy dark cherries, cloves, new leather, licorice and asphalt are all woven together beautifully in Mark Aubert's 2011 Pinot Noir Ritchie Vineyard. Despite its considerable size and volume, the 2011 possesses stunning detail, nuance and freshness. Rose petals, violets and plums all grace a finish that stands out for its total elegance and class. I hope readers can appreciate how rare it is to find wine with both this level of depth and nuance. Aromatically, the Ritchie Pinot has much in common with the Chardonnays from the same site, although I realize that may sound a bit esoteric. Maybe, but it's true." - 95pts Vinous

1999  

2001  

2012  Black Eye Bill Desmond Vineyard

Black Eye Bill Desmond Vineyard - "Another tightly-knit, more Côte de Beaune-styled effort is the 2012 Pinot Noir Black Eye Bill, which is made from a Dijon clonal mix. It was aged in a combination of Darnajou and Taransaud barrels, which give it a different character than wines aged in François Frères or Gamba oak. Medium-bodied with notes of kirsch and loamy soil, this spicy Pinot should drink well for a decade." - 92pts WA

2014  

"I tasted four Pinot Noirs from 2014, all of them stunning. From Santa Rita Hills, the 2014 Pinot Noir Santa Rita, is made from Dijon clones 115 and 828. This is a beauty, with plenty of spice box, exotic hints of sassafras and cola interwoven with black cherry, blackcurrant fruit, loamy soil undertones and light to moderate tannin. The wine is deep, full-bodied, spicy and sexy. Drink it over the next 7-10 years" - 93pts WA

2012  

"The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Tin Box emerges from a parcel of 50 year-old vines in the heart of eastern Oakville. An exotic mélange of graphite, smoke, licorice, mint and crushed rocks add nuance to a core of unctuous, inky dark red and bluish fruits. A total pleasure bomb delivers superb intensity along with explosive energy, both of which make it impossible to resist. Once again, the Tin Box is one of the highlights in this range." - 97pts Vinous

2008  

"(15.2% alcohol; 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon): Deep red with ruby highlights. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, licorice, wild herbs and menthol. At once savory and sweet, displaying lovely inner-mouth floral character to its dark berry, mineral and cedar flavors. This seamless, juicy wine finishes very subtle and long, with firm tannins and excellent length. Beginning with this vintage, Blankiet stopped using heavy-toast barrels. This "fire-and-ice" vintage produced the only vintage of the Blankiet flagship wine to surpass 15% alcohol. Denis Malbec, who took over winemaking duties here in February of 2010, put together the final blend." - 94pts Vinous

2014  

"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Melbury is profoundly scented of crushed plums, black cherries and cassis with hints of dark chocolate, black pepper, black soil and licorice plus a hint of iron ore. Full-bodied, rich and earthy in the mouth, it has a lovely fine-grained but firm backbone with plenty of freshness, finishing long and peppery." - 96+pts WA

2014  

"The 2014 Quella is showing beautifully. Floral and savory overtones give the wine its energy and tension. The 2014 has really come along over the last six months. Today it is vibrant and full of life, with an understated sense of power that is compelling. The 2014 has developed very nicely since I last tasted it, but it still has room to grow." - 96+pts Vinous