Colgin Wines

wines

From a spectacular, gently sloping vineyard across from Freemark Abbey on Route 29, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a first-growth Pauillac-like feel, with creme de cassis, licorice, cedarwood and Christmas fruitcake. A floral note also makes an appearance in this dense, purple-colored wine with full-bodied opulence, sweet tannin, and a terrific personality. This is approaching maturity and should continue to drink well for another 10-15 years.This spectacularly beautiful estate high on Pritchard Hill with magnificent views in just about every direction has been on a qualitative tear for many years. From their humble beginnings at the co-op Napa Wine Company (their first releases were in the early 1990s), to the construction of their winery and estate vineyard, quality has soared.Robert Parker | 96 RP(15.6% alcohol): Bright, dark red. Lovely complex, subtle perfume of black raspberry, mulberry, currant, nutty oak and sexy brown spices. Wonderfully pliant and fresh in the mouth, showing some very ripe qualities but also outstanding detail and finesse to its flavors of black raspberry and deep wet-stone minerality. Offers compelling sweetness while retaining a firm shape, finishing long and aromatic, with very suave, harmonious tannins. I found this wine a bit liqueur-like upon release but today it's a knockout.Vinous Media | 96 VMMassive, yet smooth and polished, with a subdued offering of ripe plum, floral and black cherry fruit that slowly builds in intensity and depth. Gains momentum on the finish, where the tannins are ripe and the flavors are tapered. Best from 2009 through 2020. 168 cases made.Wine Spectator | 95 WS

The same could be said for the 2004 IX Estate Proprietary Red, a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. Deep purple to the rim with sweet blackberry, creosote, camphor, forest floor and fruitcake notes, sweet tannin and a layered mouthfeel, this wine builds incrementally offering up power, but also elegance. It is a spectacular wine from a great site. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.Robert Parker | 97 RP(15.6% alcohol): Good deep red. Rather exotic nose combines scents of hard candy, wild sage, iron, burning embers, cayenne and tangerine; more red than black in character.Lush, seamless and sweet in the mouth but not as deep as the Cariad. Finishes broad and a bit soft, with substantial dusty tannins.Vinous Media | 93 VMRich and tightly focused, with a pure beam of spicy cherry, sweet wild berry and plum-laced fruit that’s supported by firm, structured tannins. Closed in on the finish, with fresh earth, dill and sage notes. Best from 2009 through 2017. 1,258 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WS

The blend that Colgin fashions from three vineyards owned by David Abreu (Madrona, Thorevilos and Howell Mountain) is called Cariad. The 2005 Proprietary Red Cariad consists of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot. Offering up spring flowers and garden aromas, sweet blueberry and black raspberry fruit, a touch of charcoal embers, graphite and background toast, it is fleshy and full-bodied, and again, meriting a three-digit score. This is absolutely remarkable wine. As it sat in the glass, it developed some rather compelling chocolaty, licorice undertones. This is a great classic to drink over the next 20-25 years. By the way, for those interested, the cooperage generally chosen is dominated by Taransaud barrels, but there are at least four different coopers.Robert Parker | 100 RPThe Cariad is the most severe of the 2005s. Early signs of aromatic development are just starting to appear, but the 2005 remains quite backward, dense and brooding. There is an element of explosive energy in the 2005 that I find especially appealing. Hints of rose petal, mint, cherries, smoke and white pepper gradually unfurl in the glass, but 2005 still hasn't hit its stride.Vinous Media | 97 VMCariad is an interesting Bordeaux blend, the '05 consisting of Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. It feels a little tentative now, as if the components are still learning how to mesh. There's a shy, tannic quality to the cherry, currant, chocolate and plum flavors, and a glyceriney mouthfeel that makes the wine slippery smooth. Give it a few years of cellaring, and it should perform well through 2017, at least.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WEThis is juicy, rich, and round. Aromas of sweet tobacco and cigar box. Full bodied, with notes of chocolate and a decadent mouthfeel. I love the depth and richness to this, very subtle and fascinating with so much going on.James Suckling | 94 JSRipe and intense, with firm, minerally tannins that have a dry, dusty edge wrapped about the earthy dried currant and black cherry fruit that's deep and concentrated, ending with a long, persistent finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2010 through 2017. 900 cases made.Wine Spectator | 94 WS

Colgin’s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill is ripe, exotic and flashy, yet also remarkably fresh. A wine of intensity and pure Napa Valley voluptuousness, the 2005 hits all the right notes. Mocha, chocolate, dark cherry fruit and licorice are pushed forward in this sexy, racy, Tychson Hill. The 2005 is a real showstopper. Drink it over the next decade.Vinous Media | 97 VMThe 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard is fresh and vibrant, with great fragrance (blueberry, black and red currants, licorice and graphite, as well as floral notes). It is stunningly fruity and full-bodied, with remarkable purity and texture, and combined with the gorgeous fragrance, fabulously concentrated with a nearly perfectly balanced mouthfeel and finish. This amazing wine should continue to develop for another 25 or more years.Robert Parker | 96 RPThe price hasn’t been set yet on this wine, which will be released in November, but the ’04 was $275. This 100% Cabernet is stunning, a quintessential hillside Cab that’s powerful and compelling in blackberries, red and black currants, cola, spices and cedar. It feels ultra-refined in the mouth, with slightly tough tannins and a trace of acidity giving a sturdy structure. Decant this great wine if you open it now, and it should evolve for a good 15 years in the cellar.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WEA very ripe nose of chocolate, berries, and plum. Full bodied and round, with a velvety and beautiful mouth-feel. Interesting notes of crushed rock, iron, and terracota. No need to wait on this. Pull the cork.James Suckling | 93 JS

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb is absolutely fabulous. Sweet, powerful and just beginning to show the early signs of maturity, the 2005 is super-expressive. Smoke, licorice, tobacco, graphite and a host of savory notes meld together in a sumptuous, textured Cabernet Sauvignon long on power and class. The 2005 is in a great place today.Vinous Media | 98 VMShows amazing purity of fruit, focus, balance and depth, with tiers of spicy currant, anise, hazelnut, mineral and melted licorice, combining power with finesse and grace with intensity. Ends with a long, lingering finish that keeps repeating the core flavor themes. Best from 2010 through 2019. 110 cases made.Wine Spectator | 97 WSThe 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard is a vineyard that Ann Colgin and her winemaking team made famous. The primary reason whay Colgin’s wines from this source show better than other wines that have emerged from the Herb Lamb Vineyard is because Colgin got the top 14 rows, the sweet spot in the entire parcel. Dense ruby/purple, with notes of graphite, a touch of bay leaf and lavender, the 2005 is spicy, cedary, much more evolved than the Dixon Hill, full-bodied with decent acidity, and very ripe blackcurrant fruit infused with a touch of unsmoked cigar tobacco. This is a beauty and best drunk over the next 5-7 years.Robert Parker | 94 RPThe price has not been set yet on this wine, which will be released in November 2008, but the 2004 was $275. The wine is big and fleshy, almost meaty in its youth. Aromas and flavors of black currants, licorice, Bay laurel, dark unsweetened chocolate and new smoky oak change and grow more complex by the second, as the wine airs in the glass. Notable in the mouth for the tannins, firm and grippy but sweet and refined. The slight astringency suggests ageability. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon will hit its stride between 2011 and 2020. Decant if you drink it sooner.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEThis smells as the name suggests, herbs and lamb. Nice notes of rosemary, sweet tobacco, plums, and chocolate mints. This is an old style Napa Cab. Full bodied, but very reserved and fine. Very caressing palate, no need to wait on this but will only get better the longer you wait. This shows the cool growing season more than the other 2005s.James Suckling | 92 JS

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

The staggeringly rich, complex, harmonious, impeccably well-balanced 2007 IX Proprietary Red Estate (1,400 case produced) exhibits aromas of spring flowers, cedarwood, Asian spices, licorice, blueberries, and blackberries. A distinct liqueur of minerals buttresses the full-bodied, massive concentration, giving an overall impression of elegance, purity, and harmony. This is another seamless tour de force in winemaking. It should drink well for 25 or more years.Robert Parker | 100 RPAbsolute pure perfection in wine, the 2007 IX Estate checks in as a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, which at that time came from 7-year-old vines. Reminding me of a great Saint-Emilion (despite being Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated), it has a gorgeous perfume of red and black fruits, white truffle, tobacco, and spiced meats, even with a kiss of iron in the background. Full-bodied, powerful, and concentrated, it has perfect tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. It’s drinking at point today but has another two decades, although why wait?Jeb Dunnuck | 100 JDThe 2007 IX Estate needs a little shaking to wake up notes of blackcurrant jelly, redcurrant preserves, blueberry compote, and Christmas cake, giving way to an undercurrent of Chinese five spice, iron ore, rose oil, and forest floor. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the taut, muscular black fruits, slowly delivering loads of exotic spice and mineral accents to the mid-palate, finishing long and savory.The Wine Independent | 100 TWIGoing up through the gears, we reach the fabulous Colgin’s 2007 IX Estate. Fresh, vibrant, exquisitely defined, and almost pixelated on the nose, with just a hint of peppermint lurking in the background. The palate has real weight and heft, yet it is wrapped up in a lattice of filigree tannins and exudes precision and tension on the finish. I can be critical of California Cabernet blends sometimes; however, this is up there with Bordeaux First Growths.Vinous Media | 97 VMClassy, intense and vibrant, full-bodied and layered, with wonderful balance, this red delivers vivid blackberry, wild berry, mineral, anise and dusty, cedary oak flavors that are trim and focused, yet expansive, as they unfold. Ends with a long, detailed finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2011 through 2021. 1,500 cases made.Wine Spectator | 97 WSBeautiful aromas of flowers, currants, violets, and mint. The palate is incredibly elegant, full bodied, polished tannins, and beautiful fruit. A nice finish of minerals, slate, and sandalwood. This is very reserved right now, Don’t touch this for another six years at least. 15+25+23+34. Find this wineJames Suckling | 97 JS

The opaque purple-colored 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard possesses an extraordinary bouquet of crushed rocks, creme de cassis, bay leaf, and forest floor. It is an exuberant, full-bodied, pure Cabernet that should drink well for 25+ years. Given the vintage and the sweetness of the tannin, it is atypically accessible already.Robert Parker | 97 RPA gracious style, smooth and layered, full-bodied without being heavy, with a rich, elegant mix of dark berry, mocha, mineral and anise. The long, lingering finish turns delicate and spicy, with a wonderful lift. Drink now through 2020. 175 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WSThis nose is really something. Minerals, mint, currants, and cassis. This is intense, with a full body and a lovely caressing texture and beautiful fruit. This is friendly and very long, but could still use three years of bottle age before pulling the cork.James Suckling | 94 JSGood deep ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, licorice and menthol. Fat, sweet and lush, combining a chocolatey ripeness with a slightly medicinal quality. Finishes with a very fine dusting of tannins. I find this slightly roasted, and yet there's enough energy to maintain shape and verve. This is the final vintage for this bottling as this vineyard on phylloxera-affected AXR rootstock required replanting and the Lambs currently plan to keep all the fruit.Vinous Media | 92 VM

There are 550-cases of the perfect 2007 Cariad (original rating was 99), a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. One of northern California’s watershed vintages for Bordeaux varietals, according to Allison Tauziet, this wine revealed great potential from the day the first grapes were crushed. It possesses a dense purple color, massive fruit, soft but high tannin, and a structural profile somewhat similar to the 2002. There appears to be more underlying minerality in the 2007, but the sweetness of the tannin, the enormous concentration of fruit (blackberry, blueberry, cherry) intermixed with graphite, chocolate, coffee and crushed rock characteristics is striking. This is a compelling, even prodigious wine that hits all the palate’s sweet spots, possesses phenomenal upside potential, and is a modern day legend in the making. Approachable now because of its flawlessness and seamless characteristics, it should drink well for three decades or more.Robert Parker | 100 RPI am not sure what to say. This is like standing in a perfectly tended vineyard with stoney soil on a beautiful sunny day. Gorgeous nose of cardamon and cloves. Full bodied, with a breathtaking depth of fruit. The texture is perfect. The tannins are perfect. This is mind blowing wine that has left me speechless. Please don’t touch this until 2015. I am in love with this. Find the wine.James Suckling | 100 JSDense, chewy and extracted, rich and layered, with tightly wound blackberry, melted black licorice, new leather, shoe polish and herbal notes that are expansive and gain traction on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2012 through 2020. 550 cases made.Wine Spectator | 95 WSBright, dark red with ruby highlights. Spectacularly complex aromas of roasted plum, cassis, currant, graphite, anise, licorice and tobacco. Wonderfully sweet, youthful and lively, with perfectly integrated acidity giving the wine an enticing combination of cool and warm qualities. Finishes very young and very long, still in need of more time in bottle to unwind. This perfumed blend reminded me of a Bordeaux from the RIght Bank owing to its seductive plum, dark berry and licorice notes and sexy sweetness. But its dusty tannins are still quite firm and in need of patience.Vinous Media | 94+ VM

Phenomenal aromas and flavors of pure fruit with stones and rock. Turns to mint and eucalyptus. Full body, with powerful yet polished tannins. Creamy and fresh. Changes continually. The finish goes on for minutes Savory. And juicy.James Suckling | 99 JSComposed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2009 IX Estate exhibits a flowery bouquet with notes of subtle smoke, blackberries, black currants, kirsch and baking spices. Rich, deep and full-bodied, this voluptuous, sensational blend boasts an inky/purple color. While approachable, it should hit its stride in 4-5 years and last for two to three decades.Robert Parker | 97 RPThe 2009 IX Estate is deep garnet in color. It needs a swirl or two to bring out notes of creme de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, and blueberry preserves, followed by suggestions of cigar box, graphite, red loam, and tapenade. The palate is rich, full-bodied, and wonderfully bold, with bright, slow-maturing black fruits and firm, ripe grainy tannins, finishing long with saline and gentle herbal layers.The Wine Independent | 97 TWIFull, deep ruby. Deep aromas of dark fruits, spices, smoky oak and flowers, plus a whiff of game. Utterly plush and mouthfilling but not at all heavy, showing serious thickness and high-altitude density to its sweet blue and black fruit, spice and chocolate flavors. And yet this wine’s floral element gives it an almost light touch, if that’s possible. Some subtle soil tones reminded me of the outstanding Syrah from this site on Pritchard Hill. Finishes with substantial but noble tannins and terrific length.Vinous Media | 96 VMA muscle-bound effort, tight, dense and chewy, with tar, blackberry, cedar and tobacco flavors. Ends with a pleasant wall of tannins and a persistent push of flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2014 through 2030. 1,300 cases made.Wine Spectator | 94 WS

This shows so much dark fruit, spice, berry and minerals incense. Full body, with lots of black pepper, spice and berry. It’s so dense and beautiful. The purity of fruit is all there. Hard not to drink now. But will improve for many years ahead.James Suckling | 97 JSBright, saturated medium ruby. Youthful but already highly expressive high-pitched perfume of blackberry, violet, licorice, crushed rock and honeysuckle. Savory, sappy, thick and fine-grained, delivering uncommon depth of texture and a strong umami character to its sweet/salty dark fruit and meat flavors. This wine stands out for its restraint today but it’s much easier to taste than it was shortly after being bottled, and there’s still a lot to come. Finishes classically dry and very long, with wonderfully suave, integrated tannins and mouthfilling perfume.Vinous Media | 96 VMI could have sworn the 2009 IX Estate Syrah had some Viognier in it, but all of these wines are 100% Syrah. Flowery, peppery, blackberry and bacon aromas reminiscent of a Cote Rotie jump from the glass. However, once in the mouth, the masculinity, power, awesome richness and incredible texture come forward. This killer Syrah should drink well for 20 or more years.Robert Parker | 95 RPA brilliant expression of dense, rich layers of spice, beef, wild berry, savory and herbal notes, offering intensity, focus, grace and finesse. Should evolve beautifully over the next decade or two. Drink now through 2030. 420 cases made.Wine Spectator | 95 WS

This is my favourite of the famous Colgin reds in this vintage. It’s incredibly aromatic and perfumed, full- bodied and harmonious. Loads of violet and lavender character. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 98 JSDeep red-ruby. Sappy aromas of black raspberry, blackberry, mocha and cracked pepper. Incredibly vivid and high-pitched on the palate, with the vibrant dark berry flavors complicated by orange peel, espresso and pungent minerality. Conveys an impression of great density without weight. Best today on the inexorable, slowly mounting finish, which finishes with substantial but utterly refined tannins and great lift and length. Stunning already but it would be a shame not to allow this beauty to express itself more fully, as it has the size, balance and acidity to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle. I underrated this wine in the early going.Vinous Media | 97 VMThe 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill is virtually all Cabernet Sauvignon except for tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It offers up gorgeous aromas of lavender, creme de cassis, violets, toast, incense and camphor. Layered, full-bodied and rich with great purity, focus and symmetry, this stunning effort from one of the tenderloin corridors of Napa Valley can be drunk early on or cellared for another 25-30 years.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 | 96 RPVery firm and tannic, yet with a pleasingly dense and richly flavored core of dark berry, mineral, graphite and licorice. Unfolds slowly, ending with a dash of espresso and mocha. Needs time. Best from 2015 through 2025. 370 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

Another perfect wine from Ann Colgin and her winemaking team is the 2013 IX Proprietary Red Estate, a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. An absolutely compelling wine, with notes of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, blueberry, blackberry and cassis, it has the full smorgasbord of black and blue fruits, wonderfully integrated, toasty oak, acidity and tannin, a floral note that is unmistakable, and great richness, density and purity. It is an utterly exceptional wine and a tribute to not only a great vineyard, but impeccable winemaking and upbringing. It should drink well for 30+ years as well.Robert Parker | 100 RPI probably would have rated the 2012 IX Estate a triple-digit score if it hadn’t been followed by this otherworldly 2013 IX Estate. One of the finest wines to ever pass my lips, this insanely good effort offers a complex, layered bouquet of darker currants, white truffle, iron, tobacco, graphite, and lead pencil. Possessing more than a passing resemblance to the 2009 Château Latour, it’s full-bodied, has a deep, concentrated mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and a great, great finish. It doesn’t get any better, and this legendary Napa Valley red can be drunk any time over the coming three decades or more.Jeb Dunnuck | 100 JDDeep garnet-black in color, the 2013 IX Estate needs a LOT of swirling to begin to bring out notes of beef dripping, charcuterie, garrigue, mossy tree bark, and black truffles, giving way to a muted core of stewed plums, blackcurrant pastilles, candied violets, and dried mulberries. The full-bodied palate explodes with a powerhouse of black fruits and earthy layers, framed by super velvety tannins and amazing tension, finishing very long and multilayered. It needs time!The Wine Independent | 100 TWIThe 2013 IX Estate is a wild, exotic wine. In a sense, it marries the savory aromatic intensity of the Tychson Hill with the fruit richness found in the Cariad. It is another wine that has aged impeccably. There’s plenty of mountain tannin and savoriness, along with the underlying structure to age well for many years to come. In a word: magnificent!Vinous Media | 99 VMThe aromas to this are perfect with black truffle, sage, blueberry and wet earth. Changes all the time. Full body with lots of richness and fruit. The intensity is electric. Chewy tannins yet polished and silky. It lasts for minutes on the palate. A joy to taste (drink) now but it’s made for long-term aging.James Suckling | 98 JSThis has an exotic edge, with a burst of chocolate-covered açaí berry leading off, followed quickly by plum and blackberry puree flavors. Delivers a deeply buried cast iron note, but feels overall open and very friendly through the finish, with a kiss of sweet toast and a flash of Black Forest cake. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Blind 2013 California Cabernet retrospective (February 2023). Drink now through 2034. 1,880 cases made.Wine Spectator | 94 WSIn this vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon formed small berries with thick skins, so the wines inevitably were powerful and tannic. Plums and blackcurrants dominate the nose, which also shows mocha tones. Plump, opulent, and very concentrated, this is nonetheless not overblown. It’s still taut and youthful, with firm tannins. Assertive, it packs a punch and has a long finish.Decanter Magazine | 94 DEC

The 2014 IX Estate is deep garnet-black in color. Scents of creme de cassis, plum preserves, and blackberry pie jump from the glass, followed by suggestions of incense, iron ore, and camphor with a waft of dark chocolate and Morello cherries coming through after a few moments. The medium to full-bodied palate is vibrant and refreshing, thrumming with mineral-sparked energy and supported by firm, grainy tannins, finishing very long and earthy.The Wine Independent | 99 TWIFrom their steep hillside vineyards on Pritchard Hill, the 2014 Proprietary Red IX Estate is an old-fashioned Médoc blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, but with some Cabernet Franc (rarely seen in the Médoc these years) as well as Merlot and Petit Verdot. Striking aromatics of violets, forest floor, loamy soil nuances, blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry soar from the glass of this spectacular 2014. The acidity seems reasonable but on the lower side, the texture is magnificent, and the overall purity and equilibrium flawless. This is a wine pushing, even demanding, a three-digit score once again, but I’m holding back – at least for now. This magnificent effort from Colgin should drink beautifully for 25-30 years.Robert Parker | 98+ RPThe 2014 IX Estate is a normal blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. From a consistently warm, moderate growing season, this has a layered, forward style in its ripe black and blue fruits as well as loamy earth, tobacco leaf, and graphite, with perfectly integrated background oak. Full-bodied, supple, and utterly seamless on the palate, it’s another wine from Tauziet that delivers sensational richness and depth with no sensation of weight or heaviness. Drink bottles any time over the coming two decades.Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JDGorgeous aromas of lean pencil, blackcurrants and raspberries. So perfumed and glorious. Full-bodied, chewy and intense with great length and intensity. Silky and muscular yet agile and energetic. Needs three to four years to resolve some of the tannins. Better in 2020.James Suckling | 98 JSThe 2014 IX Estate is the most vibrant of the 2014s at Colgin. Bright acids and beams of tannin give the IX notable energy, which works so well in conveying the personality of the site in the medium-bodied style of the year. Dried herbs, espresso, crushed rocks, iron and graphite infuse the 2014 with tons of character. This is a terrific showing.Vinous Media | 97 VMRich and broad, this packs an impressive amount of black currant, blackberry and boysenberry reduction notes while staying focused and defined thanks to bolts of licorice snap, roasted apple wood and graphite. The winey, sapid, fruit-laden finish won’t quit. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. -- Blind 2014 California Cabernet retrospective (June 2024). Drink now through 2042. 1,450 cases made.Wine Spectator | 97 WSA moderate growing season in Napa, with no heat spikes, delivered finely balanced wines with no rough edges. This is no exception, although the black-fruit nose is certainly dense and even now not fully open. The attack is tight, thanks to fine acidity, and the texture svelte and polished. Although no heavyweight, it’s intense and punchy, with admirable elegance and superb length.Decanter Magazine | 96 DEC

The aromas of iodine, oyster shells and mushrooms turn to blackberries. Full body, polished tannins and a plush, velvety texture. Gorgeous length and tension. Aftertaste turns to leaves, forest floor and blackberries. Salty and savory. Wow.James Suckling | 98 JSThe 2014 Cariad is wonderfully expressive, open-knit and gracious. Sweet floral and spice notes give the 2014 much of its aromatics, while fruit is bright, vibrant and intense. I imagine the 2014 will drink well pretty much upon release. Today, the 2014 is showy, plush and inviting, but there is also plenty of depth to back it all up. Although I wouldn’t dream of opening any of the 2014s early, but if I had to choose one wine to open before the others, this would be it. Cariad is a blend of fruit from several David Abreu ranches, with Madrona Ranch as the central component.Vinous Media | 97 VMThe 2014 Proprietary Red Cariad, which is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon but also contains important percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is made from purchased fruit from David Abreu’s vineyard holdings on Howell Mountain and in St. Helena. This wine offers loads of unsmoked cigar tobacco, melted licorice, charcoal embers, blackberry and mulberry fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning intensity, impressive equilibrium, and well-integrated acidity and tannin. It is another beauty, obviously coming from first-growth terroirs. This should drink beautifully for 20-25 years.Robert Parker | 96 RPA big, rich, deep and caressing style, with wonderful textural nuances that smooth out the chewy dark berry, graphite, gravel and black licorice flavors. Most impressive on the finish, which sails along, gaining depth and persistence. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2038. 810 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WS

Amazing aromas of blackcurrants, forest floors, dark tea and wet earth. Rose petals and leaves. Licorice undertones, too. Full-bodied, tight and precise with hazelnuts, rose petals and dark berries. Sea salt and a savory finish. A serious yet joyful, young red. Better in 2021 but already a fantastic wine to drink.James Suckling | 99 JSA blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cariad Proprietary Red Wine sports a very deep garnet-purple color and boasts a very savory nose of chargrill, roasted nuts and yeast extract over a core of blackberry pie, blueberry compote, menthol and Indian spices with wafts of violets and underbrush. The palate has very firm, beautifully ripe tannins with a muscular core of black fruits and black licorice, featuring seamless freshness and amazing length.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98+ RPThe highlight among these 2015s, the Cariad is a total knock-out. Dark, vibrant and powerful in the glass, the 2015 offers notable energy to balance the bold flavors of the year. In this vintage, the Cariad has quite a bit more Franc than is typically the case, a decision that has paid off beautifully. I very much like the sense of energy here.Antonio Galloni | 98+ AGReminding me of a Pessac-Leognan (although the style they’re going for is more Pauillac), the 2015 Cariad offers full-bodied, opulent, expansive aromas and flavors of tobacco leaf, cigar-box, earth, and crushed rock to go with a sensational core of ripe black fruits. It has the terrific complexity of the vintage as well as a deep, concentrated style, ample tannin, and while no doubt a sexy drink today, will be better with 4-5 years of bottle age. I continue to be blown away by what winemaker Allison Tauziet accomplishes with these releases from Colgin. Year in, year out, these are some of the most spectacular, singular, and compelling wines made in the world. The 2015s are slightly in the style of her 2013s and aren’t blockbusters, yet have an elegant, detailed style that builds with time in the glass. There’s nothing over the top and they shine for their elegance, complexity, and nuance just as much as for their considerable richness and power. Life is too short to not try these wines at least once! (Drink between 2018-2043)Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JDYoung and massive, with a strong flex of tannic strength amid oak, extracted dark berry, cedar and spice flavors. For now the tannins are a major concern, as they are assertive, if not aggressive. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2021 through 2030. 700 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2015 IX Proprietary Red Estate sports a deep garnet-purple color and nose of smoked meat, blackberries and black currants with suggestions of baking spices, dark chocolate, fertile earth, dried Provence herbs, cardamom and lavender plus a touch of cigar box. Full-bodied, rich, firm and restrained, it has a lovely earthy, soft-spoken style at this youthful stage, promising great things to come over the forthcoming 25-30 years.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 100 RPLastly, the 2015 IX Estate is reminiscent of a hypothetical blend of the 2013 and 2014, with a ripe, sexy, exuberant style carrying loads of blue and black fruits as well as notes of tobacco, iron, truffly earth, and lead pencil. A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, it’s full-bodied and has loads of up-front fruit, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. As with the 2012 and 2014, it has this incredible lift and elegance and already offers pleasure. Nevertheless, I’d give bottles another 3-4 years if possible, and this will evolve for 30-35 years in cold cellars.Jeb Dunnuck | 100 JDThe IX Estate is the most brooding and tannic of these 2015s from Colgin. Huge swaths of tannin enshroud the fruit in this decidedly virile, intense Pritchard Hill red. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2015 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Even today, though, it is a stellar wine.Vinous Media | 97 VMThis is a broad-shouldered wine, underscoring the richness of the vintage. But it is also bright and fresh with a light bitter and hazelnut character on the finish. Full-bodied, focused and textured with a dusty tannin mouthfeel. Tangy and long at the finish. Enticingly fruity. Drink in 2021.James Suckling | 97 JSAssertive, with an agreeable texture that eases the tannic strength, making this a powerful expression of extracted Cabernet flavors like dark berry, cedar, graphite, tar and more. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2021 through 2034. 1,050 cases made.Wine Spectator | 94 WS

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2021 IX Estate needs a lot of shaking to wake up notes of warm cassis, boysenberries, and juicy plums, giving way to nuances of iron ore, wild sage, tapenade, and lilacs. The full-bodied palate is tightly wound with very firm, ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness framing the dense black fruits, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.The Wine Independent | 100 TWIColgin’s 2021 IX Estate is a rich, opulent example, with layers of ripe black cherries and dark chocolate punctuated by hints of sage and bay leaf, plus some vaguely floral notes (violets?). Full-bodied, concentrated, velvety and long, it’s another terrific wine that showcases the potential of Pritchard Hill, the investment by the owners and the talent of the winemaking team.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 99 RPRed currant, lead pencil and terra cotta aromas with some bay leaf and sage. Full-bodied with tight, firm tannins that are polished and very fine. Turns to graphite. Extremely long, refined, polished and exquisite. Best after 2028.James Suckling | 99 JSThe 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated, the 2021 is exceptionally beautiful and balanced. Clean saline notes and veins of tannin extend the explosive, sublime finish.Vinous Media | 98 VMThe 2021 Syrah is another incredible Syrah here and I d put it up against any Syrah out there. Inky-hued with a La Landonne-like nose of ripe black and blue fruits, smoked game, chocolate, and graphite, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a dense, powerful, compact mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following decade or more.Jeb Dunnuck | 98+ JDThere’s some gorgeous flow to this red, with an overriding velvety feel to its crushed blackberry, açaí and loganberry fruit core, contrasted nicely by an underlying cast iron note. Alder, sage and sweet bay hints flicker seductively amid the fruit on the lengthy finish. Best from 2025 through 2045. 1,899 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WS

Blackberry and white pepper with black tobacco and hints of iron, terra cotta and mushrooms. Medium- to full-bodied with a solid core of tannins and earthy, spicy, meaty and chocolaty undertones. Very complex and layered with a tightly wound ball of cashmere. It’s so textural, plush and gorgeous. Drinkable but better in three or four years,James Suckling | 100 JSDeep garnet-purple colored, the 2021 IX Estate Syrah is a jaw-dropper from first sniff! Violets, forest floor, and fragrant dried leaves notes leap from the glass, leading to a core of juicy plums, fresh blackberries, and blueberries. The full-bodied palate is tight-knit and intense with rounded tannins and beautifully knit freshness, finishing long and spicy.The Wine Independent | 99 TWIAll destemmed and aged in Burgundy pièces from the likes of Damy, François Frères and Ermitage, the 2021 Syrah IX Estate boasts considerable floral and herbal nuances on the nose, along with something akin to rust, corroded iron or blood and layers of black cherry and plum fruit. Full-bodied, rich and velvety in texture, it lacks the finesse and elegance of the 2018, but it pales only in comparison to that beauty, finishing long, with echoes of espresso, licorice and peppery spice.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RPThe 2021 Syrah is another incredible Syrah here and I d put it up against any Syrah out there. Inky-hued with a La Landonne-like nose of ripe black and blue fruits, smoked game, chocolate, and graphite, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a dense, powerful, compact mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following decade or more.Jeb Dunnuck | 98+ JDThe 2021 Syrah IX Estate impresses with its fruit purity and freshness. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, cinnamon and dried herbs are beautifully articulated in this vibrant, mid-weight Syrah. There’s a bit of new oak today, but that will subside over time. This is an exceptionally beautiful vintage for the Syrah, a wine that is as much a wine of IX Estate as it is of varietal character. Seamless, polished tannins wrap up the finish.Vinous Media | 97 VMHandsomely structured and elegantly dynamic, with rich flavors of blackberry, fruitcake spices, mocha espresso and savory pepper that build richness and tension toward big but polished tannins. Drink now through 2033. 566 cases made.Wine Spectator | 94 WS

The 2021 Cariad is another First Growth Bordeaux look-alike from Colgin. Darker currants, smoked tobacco, graphite, bouquet garni, and some exotic, meaty notions dominate the bouquet, and it’s massively concentrated on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, polished tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It actually has some upfront appeal due to its incredible balance and texture, yet smart money will still hide these for 5-7 years. It will have 30+ years of overall longevity.Jeb Dunnuck | 100 JDSo much graphite here with blackcurrants, black olives, black everything. Some orange peel, dried violets and iodine. Volcanic and pumice-like. Amazing aromas. Full-bodied but so tight and polished with crushed stone, iodine and cashmere. Leather undertones. A distinctive masterpiece for the vintage that will age for infinity. Try after 2030.James Suckling | 100 JSColgin’s 2021 Cariad is explosive, effusive and all charm. All the elements are so well put together. Deep, sweet floral and savory spice nuances lift a core of red/purplish fruit, all wrapped together with broad, chocolatey tannins. Elegant, vivid and impeccably balanced, the 2021 has a brilliant future. It will be interesting to see where this goes over time.Vinous Media | 99 VMLike the 2018 version, Colgin’s 2021 Cariad is wonderfully vibrant and fresh, with hints of dried sage accenting purple raspberries and cassis. It’s full-bodied and velvety in texture yet taut and energetic. Nearly indescribable spice and earthy complexities fold in on the long, elegant finish, all wrapped in a cocoon of dry, silky tannins.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RPDeep garnet-purple colored, the 2021 Cariad is just a little bit closed to begin. With patient swirling, notes of cassis, black cherries, and mulberries slowly emerge from the glass, followed by hints of dark chocolate, iris, and spice cake, with a waft of underbrush. The full-bodied palate is jam-packed with concentrated black fruit layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering aniseed note. Tantalizingly decadent!The Wine Independent | 98 TWIThis is dense, fleshy and generous in feel, all while maintaining form, as its core of well-steeped black currant and blackberry fruit rolls through, flecked with charcoal, alder and savory details and supported by a long tug of warm cast iron through the finish. Its grip offers a finishing kick of succulence, which bodes well for the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2042. 851 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WS