Le Cadeau Vineyard Merci Reserve 2012

Brilliant ruby. Heady smoke- and spice-accented dark berry liqueur, cherry pit and potpourri aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a mineral note with aeration. Fleshy, sweet and palate-staining, offering intense black raspberry, floral pastille and cola flavors underscored by a smoky nuance. Gains power on the focused, very long finish, which is framed by supple tannins. A standout of the vintage, and built to age. Score - 94. (Josh Raynolds, vinousmedia.com, July 2014)