2010 Sheridan L'Orage RP--93

Robert Parker: 93 Points
Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 Jeb Dunnuck 93 Drink: 2013 - 2025 $55 (50) A blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Cabernet Franc that spent 24 months in half new and half once-used French oak barrels, the 2010 l’Orage is also fantastic and shows the deep, concentrated house style. Offering up decadent black cherry, black currant, spice box, lead pencil shavings and underbrush aromas and flavors, it doesn’t pull any punches on the palate and delivers massive amounts of fruit, texture and tannin. Firming up noticeably on the finish, it’s a broad, chewy effort that will benefit from short-term cellaring. A perfect intro into Scott’s wines, it will have 12-15 years of longevity. Drink now-2025. Coming all from the estate Sheridan Vineyard and made by owner/winemaker Scott Greer, these wines are big, full-throttle efforts that don’t hold back on ripeness or oak, yet manage to hold everything together with brilliant purity of fruit, clean acidity and rock solid underlying structure. While Scott’s 2010s are all formidably tannic and slightly backwards, his 2011s are more approachable and supple across the board; in addition, he pulled back on the toast level on all of the barrels in 2011 to account for the lighter concentration level of the vintage. All of the wines are beautifully made and highly recommended.