Parker Review:
A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Syrah, the 2001 Variation One exhibits sweet, flowery, blackberry and cassis flavors with chocolate and leather in the background. This big, fullbodied, opulent, layered, multidimensional 2001 needs 2 to 3 years of cellaring. It should drink well for 1 to 2 decades.
Tanzer Review:
Full rubyred. Superripe, slightly roasted aromas of black raspberry, meat, animal fur, mint and maple syrup. Sweet, dense and packed with fruit. Sappy, sharply delineated flavors of black raspberry, dark chocolate, minerals and mint. Finishes with a strong tannic structure that should carry this wine in bottle for 15 years.
