2009 Gemstone Vineyard Estate Red Blend (Red Wines / Red Blends)

2009 Gemstone Vineyard Estate Red Blend

92pts (IWC) (previously labeled as Proprietary Red Wine; contains 2% petit verdot): Good full ruby. Classic aromas of cassis, licorice, loam and minerals. Lush, broad and harmonious, with lovely lift to the black raspberry and toffee flavors. Finishes with broad, fine, chocolatey tannins that coat the tongue and teeth. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May 2012

91pts(WA) The 2009 Red Wine is a gorgeous, fleshy offering laced with expressive dark red fruit, flowers, mint and licorice. It shows wonderful radiance and silkiness in a hugely approachable and flat-out delicious style. I especially like the pliancy and generosity of the finish. The 2009 is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot that spent 21 months in French oak barrels, 67% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. Antonio Galloni Robert Parker's Wine Advocate No198 December 2011

"Our 2009 Estate Red Blend offers intense aromas of violet, sweet spice and ripe red fruit. These notes mingle with licorice, cherry pit and darker fruit flavors on the mid-palate. The long elegant finish layers cream and vanilla upon the rich fruit tones and smooth tannins. This wine will age for a minimum of twenty years but is lovely and approachable now." – Philippe Melka, Winemaker 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc