2008 IX Estate

(69% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot, 11% cabernet franc and 7% petit verdot): Saturated ruby. Blackberry, spices and graphite on the nose. Broad and rich but also magically airy in the mouth, with compelling perfume to the dark fruit and mineral flavors. A very dark, deep, young wine with terrific finishing grip. Here, too, the substantial tannins will require at least five years of patience.

The opaque purple-hued 2008 IX Proprietary Red, a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and the balance Petit Verdot (also slightly modified from last year), reveals notes of espresso roast, blueberries, black currants and lead pencil shavings. The wine reveals superb concentration and richness as well as a structured mouthfeel. It begs for 4-5 years of cellaring and should drink well for 20-30+ years. Proprietor Ann Colgin, her winemaker, Allison Tauziet, and consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud, must be pleased with their 2008s and attractive 2009s, even though neither of these two vintages measures up to what they achieved in 2007, 2005, 2002 and 2001. The 2008s were all bottled in July, 2010. It's hard to believe, but the Tychson Hill Vineyard on Route 29 just north of St. Helena is now 12 years old. 2009 was an overall cooler year, but the harvest at Colgin took place before the unprecedented 5- to 6-inch rainfalls hit Northern California in mid-October. Yields were normal across the board. In case you missed the reviews in issue of 186 (12-23-09), the just released bottled 2007s received the following scores: Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb VINEYARD (97) (the last release from this site) Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill (97+), Cariad (99), IX Proprietary Red (100), IX Syrah Estate (95). Tel. (707) 963-0999; Fax (707) 963-0996

Deep ruby-red. The most reticent on the nose of these young 2008s, hinting at subtle blackberry, licorice and spices. Suave and sharply delineated, but with terrific texture and sweetness braced by inner-palate energy. This will require more barrel aging and several years in bottle to demonstrate its inherent complexity, but the wine's light touch and sharp detail in conjunction with its sheer length suggest it will be outstanding. In comparison to this laid-back wine, the 2007 version is downright exotic.