The Story
Opening with aromas of granite, charcoal, and sage, this wine reveals layers of wild blueberry and black cherry. Turmeric and ginger spice notes create complexity and depth, establishing a distinctive character. The palate showcases bold, well-defined tannins with striking minerality and a dense core. Young and vibrant now, the wine's structured framework promises to soften into silky elegance as it matures, developing greater refinement over time.
Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with slow-roasted prime rib, grilled wagyu steaks, venison loin, or a rich, savory wild mushroom tart.
100 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 IX Estate is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Very deep purple-black colored, it needs a little coaxing to reveal earth and mineral scents of iron ore, tilled soil, forest floor and truffles with ripe red and black currants, kirsch, Black Forest cake and mulberries plus nuances of tar, lilacs and Sichuan pepper. Full-bodied and built like a brick house, the palate has a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and exhilarating freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit. Mineral and savory accents linger long into the epic finish. A thought-provoking, pensive, mesmerizing wine.
100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Another perfect wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 14% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, all from the estate on Pritchard Hill. A monster of a wine that needs serious bottle age, it reveals a dense purple hue as well as a mineral-drenched bouquet of pure crème de cassis, charcoal, spring flowers, tobacco, and earth. Just incredible on the palate, it’s full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with remarkable purity and a finish that won’t quit. Cabernet – or red wine for that matter – doesn’t get any better! It needs a solid 5-7 years of bottle age. but this legendary wine will see its 50th birthday in fine form.
98 Points - James Suckling
Extraordinary aromas of black truffles, blackberries, bark and violets. Essence of blackberries. Then it goes to crushed stones and pine needles. Aromatic perfection. Full-bodied with well framed tannins and beautiful dark fruit. Superb finish and intensity. Mountain character. Tannic at the end. Cooler and fresher undertone. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 14% cabernet franc, 8% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Try after 2027.
97 Points - Wine Spectator
A broad, lush style, with a big wave of warmed cassis and plum reduction flavors rolling through, yet this settles relatively gently rather than crashing through the finish, thanks to well-embedded, loamy grip and an alluring backdrop of roasted alder, bay leaf and licorice root notes. A wine that walks softly but carries a big stick. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2040.
Description
Opening with aromas of granite, charcoal, and sage, this wine reveals layers of wild blueberry and black cherry. Turmeric and ginger spice notes create complexity and depth, establishing a distinctive character. The palate showcases bold, well-defined tannins with striking minerality and a dense core. Young and vibrant now, the wine's structured framework promises to soften into silky elegance as it matures, developing greater refinement over time.
Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with slow-roasted prime rib, grilled wagyu steaks, venison loin, or a rich, savory wild mushroom tart.
100 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 IX Estate is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Very deep purple-black colored, it needs a little coaxing to reveal earth and mineral scents of iron ore, tilled soil, forest floor and truffles with ripe red and black currants, kirsch, Black Forest cake and mulberries plus nuances of tar, lilacs and Sichuan pepper. Full-bodied and built like a brick house, the palate has a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and exhilarating freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit. Mineral and savory accents linger long into the epic finish. A thought-provoking, pensive, mesmerizing wine.
100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Another perfect wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 14% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, all from the estate on Pritchard Hill. A monster of a wine that needs serious bottle age, it reveals a dense purple hue as well as a mineral-drenched bouquet of pure crème de cassis, charcoal, spring flowers, tobacco, and earth. Just incredible on the palate, it’s full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with remarkable purity and a finish that won’t quit. Cabernet – or red wine for that matter – doesn’t get any better! It needs a solid 5-7 years of bottle age. but this legendary wine will see its 50th birthday in fine form.
98 Points - James Suckling
Extraordinary aromas of black truffles, blackberries, bark and violets. Essence of blackberries. Then it goes to crushed stones and pine needles. Aromatic perfection. Full-bodied with well framed tannins and beautiful dark fruit. Superb finish and intensity. Mountain character. Tannic at the end. Cooler and fresher undertone. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 14% cabernet franc, 8% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Try after 2027.
97 Points - Wine Spectator
A broad, lush style, with a big wave of warmed cassis and plum reduction flavors rolling through, yet this settles relatively gently rather than crashing through the finish, thanks to well-embedded, loamy grip and an alluring backdrop of roasted alder, bay leaf and licorice root notes. A wine that walks softly but carries a big stick. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2040.
