Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2011

The 2011 Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve from the Maximiano vineyard is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenere, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec from a sloped vineyard on alluvial soils with good drainage and some clay. The Cabernet tends to be old and the other grapes have been planted more recently. This wine has been a blend since 2010, while the older vintages were 100% Cabernet. It also got away from being 100% new oak; now they use whatever they consider suitable. Bright cherry colored, the 2011 was aged in French barrels for 22 months (85% new) but still feels floral and juicy, with notes of tobacco, notable complexity and plenty of tannins. Round and complex, with good acidity and freshness, this is a serious wine to age. Drink 2016-2026. Score - 92. (Luis Gutierrez, erobertparker.com, June 2014)