While I am not surprised that the 2001 Thorevilos turned out to be perfect the 2001 Madrona Ranch was more of an eye-opener in that it has become even more extraordinary than I predicted eight years ago. A prodigious wine with complex notes of subtle barbecue smoke intermixed with blueberry pie black currant liqueur acacia flowers lead pencil shavings and sweet foresty floor notes this wine builds incrementally with layer upon layer of fruit glycerin and concentration. The finish goes well past a minute and the wine is full-bodied and deep with wonderfully sweet tannin. It is still an adolescent in terms of its total evolution but it is irresistible simply because of the flawless nature of the wine and incredible perfume and flavor intensity. Simply amazing! Both of these wines are adolescents and probably won't peak for another 5-8 years and keep for 30-40.

The 2001 Madrona Ranch is a powerful, brooding wine. Savory herbs, scorched earth, licorice, menthol, plum and black cherry. Young, deep and wonderfully deep, the 2001 is a total rock star. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha and gravel build as this explosive 2001 opens with some coaxing. The young Madrona Ranch tannins that were once present have softened. I expect the 2001 will drink well for another decade or so. -- Antonio Galloni