From the Pritchard Hill Vineyard, the 2006 IX Proprietary Red Estate is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. The good news is that there are 1,500 cases of this cuvee. It, too, reveals the noble sweetness of tannin, the extraordinary rich, intense mouthfeel, and sumptuous aromas of flowers, burning embers, blackberries, blueberries, spice box, and cedar. With extraordinary intensity, beautiful purity, a texture and flavors that build incrementally on the palate, and a significantly long finish, this is a perfect wine.Robert Parker | 100 RPA stunning effort that offers a rich, full-bodied, layered band of ripe currant and green and black olive, with hints of herb and spice. Expands into a long, deep, penetrating finish, echoing chocolate brownie. Best from 2010 through 2018. 1,500 cases made.Wine Spectator | 97 WSWhat a nose on this wine, almost makes drinking it unnecessary. Layers of lead pencil, blackberries, licorice, asphalt, roses, and so much more. Full bodied and tight, with so much to give still. The best is yet to come for this wine. Keep your hands off of this until 2015. 15+25+24+33. Find the wineJames Suckling | 97 JSThe 2006 IX Estate prances out of the glass with showy notes of blueberry preserves, creme de cassis, prunes, and star anise, leading to suggestions of dried Provence leaves, tobacco leaf, and new leather with a touch of crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is brimming with energy and loads of savory/earthy nuances, supported by chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering meaty note. This is ready to drink.The Wine Independent | 97 TWI(66% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot, 8% cab franc and 5% petit verdot) Bright ruby-red. Exhilarating nose of wild berries, wild sage, bay laurel and flowers. Wonderfully dense and sweet, but with an extraordinary light touch to the black fruit, floral and spice flavors. A terrific core of ripe acidity gives the wine outstanding inner-mouth lift and extends the finish, which builds inexorably. The tannins are firm but fine-grained. The best vintage to date for the winery’s estate vineyard overlooking Lake Hennessey, which was planted in 2000. In fact, this is extraordinary for five-year-old vines.Vinous Media | 95 VMFrom the estate, in the Pritchard Hill area of St. Helena which is worthy of its own appellation, comes this densely structured, impressive but young wine. It’s massive in fruity extract and new oak, flooding the mouth with soft, ultrarich flavors of blackberries and dark chocolate and a leathery, peppery, grilled meat quality. This is the kind of wine even a non-red wine drinker will be dazzled by, and connoisseurs will appreciate its power and finesse. Ready now for sheer opulence, and should develop through 2012, at least.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEAt this time, Colgin was still ageing its wines in entirely new oak, and it certainly shows on the nose and palate of this wine. The attack is sleek, and the tannins have integrated with time, but there’s a slight lack of depth and complexity here. The finish is long but strongly marked by the oak.Decanter Magazine | 93 DEC
