100 RP
$575 - 950
2015 - 2045
Another perfect wine from Ann Colgin and her winemaking team is the 2013 IX Proprietary Red Estate, a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. An absolutely compelling wine, with notes of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, blueberry, blackberry and cassis, it has the full smorgasbord of black and blue fruits, wonderfully integrated, toasty oak, acidity and tannin, a floral note that is unmistakable, and great richness, density and purity. It is an utterly exceptional wine and a tribute to not only a great vineyard, but impeccable winemaking and upbringing. It should drink well for 30+ years as well.
This is an incredible lineup of wines from Ann Colgin, her winemaker Allison Tauziet and Bordeaux winemaking consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud. Of course, they have David Abreu, the superstar of viticulturalists, looking after their vineyards which, based on those I’ve seen at Tychson Hill and the IX Estate, are meticulously and fastidiously maintained as well as drop-dead beautiful terroirs. The 2012s, which I reviewed from bottle before, have gone from strength to strength at the top of the qualitative pyramid. The 2013s had just been bottled, so I was blown away by how amazingly they performed. Of course, 2012 was a great vintage, but 2013, as I’ve already indicated, is probably the finest vintage for Bordeaux varietals I’ve ever tasted in my 37 years of experience in Napa Valley. Tel. (707) 963-0999; www.colgincellars.com
