97 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
February 2005
A proprietary blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and the balance equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2002 Cariad (520 cases) is fashioned from the Madrona Ranch and Thorevilos vineyards. A California hybrid version of a big, rich St.-Emilion/Graves blend, it reveals a Bordeaux-like structure along with loads of tannin as well as a certain tightness. Extraordinarily elegant, exotic notes of orange rind, ground pepper, incense, and Indian spices are intermixed with chocolate and blackberry currant characteristics in a seamless, full-bodied style that coats the palate without any sense of heaviness. As it sits in the glass, meaty, bay leaf, smoked Peking duck, and new saddle leather characteristics also emerge. This singular red can be drunk early in life, or aged for two decades or more.
94 points, Stephen Tanzer
June 2005
Saturated deep ruby. Utterly distinctive aromas of black raspberry, blackberry, Asia n spices, duck sauce, exotic herbs and flowers. Silky, lush and dense, with wonderfully subtle oak character. This actually comes across as tighter and leaner than the Tychson Hill, and more elegant, but this is due to the wine's surprising acidity and firm underlying structure, which also keep this blend remarkably fresh. A fascinating blend with a rising finish that's rare for North Coast red wine at this level of ripeness. This may merit an even higher score with six to eight years of additional bottle aging.
95 points, Wine Spectator
October 2005
Wonderful richness, density and concentration of flavors, with tiers of currant, blackberry and plum, hints of cedar, mineral and exotic spiciness. Those flavors gain depth and complexity, with a touch of mocha and fresh earth, mixing power with finesse. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2006 through 2012. 500 cases made.
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