Wine Region: Napa Valley - USA

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (7%), Petit Verdot (2%)

Tasting notes:
The 2011 IX Estate is the softest of the three Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines in this range from Colgin, but there is plenty of breath and power, too. Sweet red cherry, iron, dried herbs, gravel, licorice and menthol lend class and personality to this beautifully articulated mountain red. The 2011 is showing so well today. It has enough freshness to drink well for another decade plus.

Expert Ratings:

95 points Vinous
"The 2011 IX Estate is another super-impressive wine. Mocha, tobacco, wild flowers, white pepper and incense all meld together in a silky, supple wine long on finesse and energy. Firm, muscular tannins support the explosive, brooding finish. Cool, intensely mineral and savory, the 2011 is vivid and thrilling in the glass, just as the single components have always been from barrel."

94 points James Suckling
"Aromas of spices, sage, bay leaf and pepper. Medium to full body with juicy tannins and a tangy, orange peel finish. It's balanced and pretty."

92 points Wine Advocate
"The 2011 IX Estate (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot) possesses surprising density and richness (then again, it's from a hillside vineyard that was above the fog line in 2011), impressive purity, lots of red, blue and black fruits, and not a trace of herbaceousness. The oak is nicely integrated in this soft, round, generously endowed effort."

About the Winery:
Colgin Cellars produces exquisitely handcrafted red wines using only the finest neo-classical winemaking methods in concert with small yields, gentle handling, attentive sorting and meticulous blending.

The Colgin winery, completed in 2002, is located at the northern end of IX Estate in the Pritchard Hill area of St. Helena, California. The state-of-the-art winery provides an inspiring view of Lake Hennessey.