Wine Enthusiast, July 2011
This deceptively named and priced wine is a gem. Dark and demonstrative, it has a seductive nose of black fruits, toast and coffee.
2008 Stateline Red Editors' Choice!
This deceptively named and priced wine is a gem. It's all estate-grown, and the blend is a fascinating combination of Merlot, Cabernet, and Malbec, with a dollop of Tinta Cao, Tempranillo and Petit Verdot. Dark and demonstrative, it has a seductive nose of black fruits, toast and coffee. Currants and black cherries are wreathed in smoke, and the suppleness grows into a lengthy and satisfying finish. Many wines at twice the price would like to be this good. 91 Points!
2008 Estate Tempranillo
This seems to be the first varietally designated Tempranillo from Gifford Hirlinger, and it shows exciting promise. Very little Tempranillo is planted in Washington, and most versions draw on the same vineyard sources; this is estate grown and therefore unique. Smoky and textural, it has a lovely depth of dark fruits and toasty barrel accents. The tannins are juxtaposed, and the match makes for a wine with tension and strength. 91 Points!
2008 Estate Petit Verdot
Clean and well-ripened fruit holds down center court here; tart and tight flavors of currant and berry. It’s wrapped in a shell of tannin that is still hard and seeming to hold the wine back. The best guess is to give it some bottle age and let it breathe, and you will be rewarded with a polished and expressive wine. 90 Points!
—Paul Gregutt