Reserve Claret

2011
Reserve Claret

A bright and complex mixture of black cherries, currants, plum reduction and beautiful baking spices. It has a floral undertone weaving throughout; reminiscent of dried berry potpourri. Swirling adds richness and weight with darker blue and black fruits. The palate is balanced and impeccably textured with fine tannins, good freshness and a drink me now quality. I would caution against drinking all of this wine too early as its development will be worth the wait... if you can.

Vintages

Varietal(s)

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec

Vinification

Aged for 21 months in 100% new French Oak

Alcohol

13.5%

Cases Produced

190

Vintage Notes

The Reserve Claret is blended form a small subset of our most select barrels (Cabernet, Merlot and Cab Franc only). It undergoes a slightly cooler, slightly longer fermentation to achieve more compression, more density, more complexity. It also spends a little more time in barrel—19-21 months—to achieve the profile we’re looking for.

Expert Reviews & Scores

Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

92 / 100

This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend shows aromas of blackberry, red and black currant and barrel spices (100% new French), seeming a bit wound up at present. The fruit and barrel flavors are elegant yet rich with a polished, seamless feel and a warm finish.

Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

94 / 100

Even more impressive, with smoking raspberry, blackberry, spring flowers, toast and hints of licorice, the 2011 Reserve is medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated (especially in the vintage), layered and elegant, with fabulous purity and freshness. It too has ultra-fine tannin and impressive length on the finish. Made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc that spent 19 months in 100% new French oak, it will shine through 2025.

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

92 / 100

Bright, dark ruby-red. Enticing aromas of dark berries, bitter chocolate, espresso, violet, licorice and smoke. Sweet, suave and fine-grained; a strong but polished wine with concentrated dark berry and chocolate flavors. The 2011 Claret may be about elegance, but thanks to the slow, even ripening made possible by this cool growing season, this special bottling is also remarkably suave and balanced. Finishes with noble tannins and excellent perfumed length.

Trade Materials