Colgin - IX Estate Proprietary Red 2006

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "From the Pritchard Hill Vineyard, the 2006 IX Proprietary Red Estate is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. The good news is that there are 1,500 cases of this cuvee. It, too, reveals the noble sweetness of tannin, the extraordinary rich, intense mouthfeel, and sumptuous aromas of flowers, burning embers, blackberries, blueberries, spice box, and cedar. With extraordinary intensity, beautiful purity, a texture and flavors that build incrementally on the palate, and a significantly long finish, this is a perfect wine." (Robert M. Parker, Jr.)

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Spicy, suave, silky and intense, the fruit is perfectly ripe, sweet, fresh and pure. The wine offers that unique combination of density paired with refinement, lift, complexity and length. And this is still young, so pop a cork now to check it out, if you have a few bottles, or age it for another decade to see what happens."

JAMES SUCKLING: "What a nose on this wine, almost makes drinking it unnecessary. Layers of lead pencil, blackberries, licorice, asphalt, roses, and so much more. Full bodied and tight, with so much to give still. The best is yet to come for this wine. Keep your hands off of this until 2015. 15+25+24+33. Find the wine."

FALSTAFF: "Rauch und Eisenoxid sind die einzigen Dinge, die die schüchterne Nase verrät. Am Gaumen scheint sich ein goldener Schnitt gebildet zu haben: getrocknete Kirsche, frische Pflaume, Miso-Paste, getrockneter Thymian und ein Hauch von Erde und Asche. All dies findet sich an einem frischen, saftigen Körper. Er ist zwar konzentriert, aber nicht schwer. Wunderbar."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2006 IX Estate prances out of the glass with showy notes of blueberry preserves, creme de cassis, prunes, and star anise, leading to suggestions of dried Provence leaves, tobacco leaf, and new leather with a touch of crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is brimming with energy and loads of savory/earthy nuances, supported by chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering meaty note. This is ready to drink." Review date: 2023-06-28

WINE SPECTATOR: "A stunning effort that offers a rich, full-bodied, layered band of ripe currant and green and black olive, with hints of herb and spice. Expands into a long, deep, penetrating finish, echoing chocolate brownie."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "From the estate, in the Pritchard Hill area of St. Helena which is worthy of its own appellation, comes this densely structured, impressive but young wine. It's massive in fruity extract and new oak, flooding the mouth with soft, ultrarich flavors of blackberries and dark chocolate and a leathery, peppery, grilled meat quality. This is the kind of wine even a non-red wine drinker will be dazzled by, and connoisseurs will appreciate its power and finesse."

DECANTER: At this time, Colgin was still ageing its wines in entirely new oak, and it certainly shows on the nose and palate of this wine. The attack is sleek, and the tannins have integrated with time, but there's a slight lack of depth and complexity here. The finish is long but strongly marked by the oak.

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Some ruby at the rim. Really sweet, biscuity, evolved nose. Hint of iron in the sweet, round mix. Slightly dusty on the end. Lovely and leathery. Tannins in retreat. Quite a cool finish. Slightly more tired on the nose than, say, the 2016."