2001 Colgin Cariad 750mL 2001

Wine Advocate # 150 December 2003: Virtually perfect, the 2001 Cariad (420 cases) is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. Mark Aubert told me there was an extended maceration of nearly 50 days because the tannin got sweeter and sweeter with each additional day after three weeks. This seamless offering possesses a saturated ruby/purple color as well as a smorgasbord of aromas, including Valrhona chocolate, cigar tobacco, blackberries, black currants, licorice, incense, and espresso. Sweet on the entry, with a voluptuous mid-palate, and a spectacular finish with the tannin hardly noticeable, this is a proprietary red of extraordinary quality and singularity. As it sat in the glass, additional nuances continued to develop, and the wine seemed to swell and become even richer with each sip. Im not sure it doesnt deserve a three-digit score.