"The 1999 Cariad (450 cases) is a Bordeaux-like blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot that could easily pass for a high-class Medoc. It offers a complex nose of cedar, spice box, minerals, currants, and loamy soil, with well-integrated sweet oak, a layered texture, wonderful elegance, sweet fruit, and terrific length. It is hard to believe this wine was aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels as their influence is subtle. The vintage's austerity is evident in the wine's finish, so 3-4 years of cellaring is suggested. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018.

Colgin's new proprietary red wine offering (which I referred to as Madrona Ranch in issue #132 of The Wine Advocate) has been officially named "Cariad" (Welsh for "love"). The fruit for this cuvee comes from Madrona Ranch, located in the northwestern corner of St. Helena. The only exception is a tiny amount of Petit Verdot (ranging from 5%-7% in the final blend) that emerges from a vineyard owned by David Abreu and Ric Foreman called Thorevilos.

Colgin, which is already a so-called "cult" wine, seems to have pushed the envelope of quality even higher ... as hard as that is to believe. As always, the truth is in the bottle ... in vino veritas."

Drink: 2006 -2018

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 142 Aug 2002