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2011 Colgin Cariad Proprietary Red
97 JS
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Review
Extremely aromatic with lead pencil and hints of currant undertone. Full body, with silky tannins and a very, very long finish. The texture is just right. This is so racy and refined with fabulous texture. I love the savory character. A wine with a solid core of fruit and super silky tannins. It is beautiful and dense yet refined. 49% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 10% petit verdot and 6% cabernet franc.
James Suckling
James Suckling | 97 JS
Critic Reviews
Extremely aromatic with lead pencil and hints of currant undertone. Full body, with silky tannins and a very, very long finish. The texture is just right. This is so racy and refined with fabulous texture. I love the savory character. A wine with a solid core of fruit and super silky tannins. It is beautiful and dense yet refined. 49% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 10% petit verdot and 6% cabernet franc.
James Suckling | 97 JS
Saturated deep ruby. Very backward, brooding aromas of blackcurrant, black raspberry and minerals. Richer, denser and sweeter than the Tychson Hill and IX Estate bottlings but youthfully shut down in bottle (these wines were bottled last June and July). Shows outstanding breadth and definition to the flavors of dark berries, menthol and bitter chocolate. Finishes with substantial broad, youthfully drying tannins and a lingering note of bitter chocolate. I would not be surprised if this wine needed at least seven or eight years in bottle to approach peak drinkability.
Vinous Media | 94+ VM
Composed of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc, the 2011 Proprietary Red Cariad exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with aromas of tapenade, barbecue smoke, black currants, sweet cherries, baking spices and licorice. Medium-bodied and fleshy with delicious fruit, it showcases the endearing, upfront charm of this vintage where the wines are well-made. Drink it over the next decade.
There are a lot of magnificent estates with Shangri-La-like beauty spread throughout California, and the Colgin property is in the top ten list for spectacular views as well as top quality. Sitting atop Pritchard Hill with stunning views of Lake Hennessey and the surrounding mountains, their IX Estate Vineyard is on a steep, intimidating hillside. It is one of the must-see attractions in Northern California, if not the entire state. The longstanding winemaking team of Ann Colgin, Allison Tauziet and Bordeaux consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud has produced some magnificent wines over the years (the 2001s, 2002s, 2005s, 2007s and 2008s) as well as amazing efforts in 2009, 2010 and 2012. There are three Bordeaux blend offerings, one from their Tychson Hill estate vineyard off Highway 29, north of St. Helena, and the second, the IX Estate blend. The Cariad is fashioned from a blend of grapes purchased from a number of David Abreu-s well-known and highly respected vineyards. There is also a fourth wine, the IX Estate Syrah, which is often a dead-ringer for a great Northern Rhone. In 2010, March and early April were very cold, but normal conditions persisted over the summer with no heat spikes, and September and October were ideally warm. The results include some spectacular wines that are among the finest I have ever tasted from Colgin. The 2011s were the result of a Draconian-like sorting procedure in both the vineyard and the winery, and significant bleeding of the tanks to concentrate the wines. The wines have turned out well, although as I might expect they are lighter and less significant than the other vintages reviewed. 2012 promises to be a spectacular vintage. This was a big as well as ripe crop (without over-ripeness), and the growing conditions were nearly ideal. In the past, I have underrated Colgin-s Syrahs only to have them in blind tastings later and be blown away by just how profound they are. They are completely different from any other California Syrahs and have an affinity to some of the great 100% single vineyard Syrahs from Michel Chapoutier and the up-and-coming firm of Delas.
Robert Parker | 93 RP
Shows a rounder, more graceful texture than most 2011s, with pure blackberry, black licorice, road tar and cigar box notes, holding a tight focus and ending with a persistent, lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2022. 640 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 90 WS
James Suckling | 97 JS
Saturated deep ruby. Very backward, brooding aromas of blackcurrant, black raspberry and minerals. Richer, denser and sweeter than the Tychson Hill and IX Estate bottlings but youthfully shut down in bottle (these wines were bottled last June and July). Shows outstanding breadth and definition to the flavors of dark berries, menthol and bitter chocolate. Finishes with substantial broad, youthfully drying tannins and a lingering note of bitter chocolate. I would not be surprised if this wine needed at least seven or eight years in bottle to approach peak drinkability.
Vinous Media | 94+ VM
Composed of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc, the 2011 Proprietary Red Cariad exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with aromas of tapenade, barbecue smoke, black currants, sweet cherries, baking spices and licorice. Medium-bodied and fleshy with delicious fruit, it showcases the endearing, upfront charm of this vintage where the wines are well-made. Drink it over the next decade.
There are a lot of magnificent estates with Shangri-La-like beauty spread throughout California, and the Colgin property is in the top ten list for spectacular views as well as top quality. Sitting atop Pritchard Hill with stunning views of Lake Hennessey and the surrounding mountains, their IX Estate Vineyard is on a steep, intimidating hillside. It is one of the must-see attractions in Northern California, if not the entire state. The longstanding winemaking team of Ann Colgin, Allison Tauziet and Bordeaux consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud has produced some magnificent wines over the years (the 2001s, 2002s, 2005s, 2007s and 2008s) as well as amazing efforts in 2009, 2010 and 2012. There are three Bordeaux blend offerings, one from their Tychson Hill estate vineyard off Highway 29, north of St. Helena, and the second, the IX Estate blend. The Cariad is fashioned from a blend of grapes purchased from a number of David Abreu-s well-known and highly respected vineyards. There is also a fourth wine, the IX Estate Syrah, which is often a dead-ringer for a great Northern Rhone. In 2010, March and early April were very cold, but normal conditions persisted over the summer with no heat spikes, and September and October were ideally warm. The results include some spectacular wines that are among the finest I have ever tasted from Colgin. The 2011s were the result of a Draconian-like sorting procedure in both the vineyard and the winery, and significant bleeding of the tanks to concentrate the wines. The wines have turned out well, although as I might expect they are lighter and less significant than the other vintages reviewed. 2012 promises to be a spectacular vintage. This was a big as well as ripe crop (without over-ripeness), and the growing conditions were nearly ideal. In the past, I have underrated Colgin-s Syrahs only to have them in blind tastings later and be blown away by just how profound they are. They are completely different from any other California Syrahs and have an affinity to some of the great 100% single vineyard Syrahs from Michel Chapoutier and the up-and-coming firm of Delas.
Robert Parker | 93 RP
Shows a rounder, more graceful texture than most 2011s, with pure blackberry, black licorice, road tar and cigar box notes, holding a tight focus and ending with a persistent, lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2022. 640 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 90 WS
Wine Details for 2011 Colgin Cariad Proprietary Red
| Type of Wine |
California Red
: Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring. |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Proprietary Blend
: Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend. |
| Country |
US
: As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants. |
| Region |
California
: With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented. Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine. |
Overview
| Producer |
Colgin
: Colgin Cellars burst onto the scene with the 1992 vintage and immediately carved itself a formidable reputation among collectors and connoisseurs alike. The handcrafted ultra-premium red wines are produced in miniscule amounts and have a three year waiting list just to be placed on the actual mailing list. A rare breed of Napa Valley that delivers just as much in investment as it does pleasure. Colgin is a producer that keeps enthusiasts fascinated with wine and thrusts Napa Valley and California into the spotlight of world class winemaking. Many winemaking ventures are birthed by the desire to attain a lifestyle synonymous with the joy and happiness that wine brings. Perhaps it is a desire to craft something that others can become captivated by and enjoy with family. Ann Colgin is no exception; she began her venture out of love for Napa Valley and her passion for wine. Though it seemed to be an overnight sensation with the debut of her 1992 vintage, it was not as if a 125-acre empire was implanted in the heart and soul of Napa Valley. Colgin’s sheer determination and passion drove her efforts grape by grape, vineyard by vineyard. After attending the Napa Valley Wine Auction in the late 1980’s, Colgin’s fascination with winemaking came to fruition in 1992 when she was able to source fruit from the famed Herb Lamb vineyard and crafted her own wine. It was released in 1995 and set the market on fire. Her ambition would not be placated and in the years following would purchase small historic vineyard sites near and around the St. Helena, Rutherford, and Oakville districts. Finally in 1998, her acquisition of a 125 acre parcel on Pritchard Hill, over-looking Lake Hennessey, enabled her to build the wine-making facility, and thus continuing her dream. Though 2007 was the final year of Colgin’s Herb Lamb offering, it does not diminish its significance nor the pride that helped drive a vintner towards greatness. Trailing in its success are three tremendous vineyard sites that were diligently acquired by Ann Colgin, each offering elegant characteristics from their own unique terroir; from the rocky hillsides of Cariad in St. Helena, overlooking the heart of Napa Valley to the steep East facing slopes of IX Estate on Pritchard Hill, to the historic vineyard of Tychson Hill originally planted in the 19th century. Cariad is perched upon rich, volcanic, stony soil with gravelly-alluvium, with bountiful sunlight and a cool climate stretching out over some of Napa’s finest land. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, which enjoys opulence and structure characterized by exotic notes of violet, dark fruit, and a gravelly minerality. Tychson Hill, named for Josephine Tychson, who originally planted the vineyard in 1860, is constructed with weathered, volcanic rocks with reddish-brown stone and obsidian. This singular expression of Cabernet Sauvignon reveals intense, deep layers of crème de cassis, barbecue smoke, graphite, blackberry and fresh cut flowers. Finally, the IX Estate Syrah consists of well drained, reddish clays with weathered, igneous rocks carved from ancient lava flows and offers both a unique, Northern Rhone inspired Syrah, as well as the “IX Estate” label which is a powerful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, and exudes towering aromatics of dark fruits, savory herbs and spice. The wines of Colgin Cellars can be enjoyed young, but also have the ability to age gracefully for years to come. With a miniscule annual production of 2,600-2,800 cases produced and a waiting list for a waiting list, the wine is as great an investment as it is a joy to own, drink or collect. Of course it doesn’t hurt when Colgin has been named “One of the Fifty Greatest Wine Estates in the World,” by Robert Parker in 2005. He also stated that Ann Colgin’s pride and joy, “IX Estate is as close to a viticultural nirvana as I have ever seen.” Colgin has crafted a product that radiates elegance, inspires memories, and brings joy and happiness to all who have the pleasure of encountering it. |
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