This was perhaps the most prototypically 'Taylor' wine of the vertical, with complex floral and spice aromas backed by firm, black cherry and berry fruit. The fruit is fresh and almost crunchy in character, underscored by solid tannins and a long, dusty finish. Immense power combines with intricate nuance and a supremely ageworthy structure. Hold. (JC)

Bright deep ruby. Brooding, complex aromas of cassis, minerals, graphite, licorice and damp earth; distinct hints of surmaturite. Dense, chewy and powerful, with a saline impression of extract. At once strong and seamless, with penetrating, youthfully primary black fruit flavors that really expand and reverberate in the mouth and on the very long, gripping finish. Exhilarating late note of dark chocolate. By no means a painfully backward Taylor, but structured to evolve for at least 25 to 30 years. (ST) 95+

Fresh and sleek, with cassis, cherry paste and linzer torte flavors that drive along nicely, picking up red licorice, alder and briar notes along the way. The anise- and spice-infused finish has focus and energy. This is rock-solid and nearly at peak. (JM)