2001 Mary Kathleen Merlot/Cabernet

Ruby-red. Aromas of raspberry liqueur, strawberry, iron, minerals and graphite; smells like a particularly soil-driven example from Bordeaux's right bank. Then dense, sweet, rich and impressively deep, with flavors of currant and tobacco. A very creamy, concentrated wine with good shape and acidity but no rough edges. Finishes with thoroughly ripe, smooth tannins and excellent length.

The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2001 Cabernet/Merlot Mary Kathleen (85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot) exhibits a dusty, earthy nose with black cherries, plums, and currants as well as a touch of oak. Medium-bodied, with little depth, it is a pleasant, Bordeaux-styled red to drink over the next 5-7 years. Oct 2005, www.robertparker.com