Sloan Proprietary Red 2005

"The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon has an almost La Mission Haut-Brion-like, scorched earth nose intermixed with cassis, coffee, and subtle hints of chocolate and balsamic. The wine is rich, full-bodied, but with great elegance and palate presence, without being heavy. Every wine to date has displayed considerable tannin, but even more concentration and fruit, so it is not an issue of the wines drying out, but rather requiring some patience before the complexity, which is already showing promise, emerges and the wines soften. This is a brilliant 2005 that is certainly one of the top wines of the vintage but needs some time in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+. 96(+) Points "

96 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Good full medium ruby. Knockout nose combines superripe black raspberry, minerals, tobacco and brown spices. Then wonderfully sweet and lush in the mouth, with an almost liqueur-like ripeness to the flavors of cassis, tobacco, chocolate, coffee and loam. As dense and thick as this is, though, it's also quite suave and juicy. Finishes with palate-staining sweetness of fruit and outstanding breadth."

95 Points

International Wine Cellar

"A bold, rich and ripe style, with complex black cherry, plum and wild berry fruit and a cedary graphite edge. Plush, concentrated and full-bodied, coating the palate, yet for all its size and chewiness this remains elegant, balanced and supported by firm tannins, showing a trace of heat on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot."

94 Points

Wine Spectator