RP 99 · Robert Parker
My original score for the 2001 Cariad was 98 points, and there are 250 cases of this 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot blend. It boasts a dense purple color as well as a wonderful multidimensional personality with a huge perfume of charcoal, black truffles, chocolate, blackberries, blueberries and subtle oak. Full-bodied with a voluptuous texture in addition to a structured, intense style, it appears to be still holding much of its character in reserve. There is fabulous upside potential, but the 2001 is a firmer, more concentrated, potentially longer lived wine than the first two vintages. Cellar it for another 5-6 years and drink it over the following 20-25 years.