Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
The fabulous 2005 IX Proprietary Red Estate (64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot) may turn out to be the wine of the vintage. Its extraordinary aromatics include floral, scorched earth, black and blue fruit, subtle oak, and spice box notes. A rich, full-bodied, layered mouthfeel, perfect harmony, and extraordinary length, complexity, and nobility characterize this amazing effort. Look for this wine to drink beautifully for 25 or more years.
Wine Enthusiast
This Bordeaux blend is similar to Colgin’s Cariad bottling, but the grapes are from the winery’s estate vineyard, high up on Pritchard Hill, ranging in elevation from 1,100–1,300 feet. A distinct note of violets and Provençal herbs erupts from the glass, supported by fruiter ones of cherries, red and black currants, dark chocolate, caramelized oak and cedar. What is so masterful about the wine is its complex structure. The tannins are fine as can be, offering just the right quality of briskness, and balanced with vital acidity. Tasted alongside Colgin’s other 2005 wines, the IX Estate surpasses them all in sheer power and depth. Drink now, with decanting, or cellar through 2020.
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Colgin is one of the reference points for just what heights mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux varietals, and more recently, Syrah, can achieve in Napa Valley. This beautiful estate and winery overlooking Lake Hennessey is owned by Joe Wender and his wife, Ann Colgin (equally renowned for her auctioneering skills), who are assisted by David Abreu, the well-known Bordeaux wine consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud, and Allison Tauziet, who has skillfully replaced the brilliant Mark Aubert. As the scores and tasting notes suggest, this was an exceptional tasting. Colgin’s 2006s are among the finest wines produced in the vintage.
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
My favorite of the 2005 Colgins is the 2005 IX Proprietary Red Estate, a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The good news is that there are 1,500 cases of this blockbuster wine, which has a Bordeaux framework but the exuberance and richness as well as fruit purity of a great Napa wine. Deep purple in color with an extraordinary nose of scorched earth, blueberries, and black currants intermixed with some subtle charcoal notes, spice, box and spring flowers, it is very full-bodied, but beautifully structured and well-delineated. With good acidity despite what is an extremely high pH (3.9), the total acids are reasonable. This is a beauty of harmony, power, and great intensity, but it is light on its feet, and an exceptional example of what this high-elevation hillside estate vineyard is capable of producing. This wine should hit its prime in 5-6 years and last for three or more decades.
Stephen Tanzer's IWC
Good medium ruby-red. The most reticent of these 2005s but with lovely purity and subtlety to its aromas of black plum, sage oil, chocolate liqueur, licorice and smoked meat. Lush, pure and sweet, with lovely spicy lift to the complex flavors of plum, minerals and dried herbs. A wonderfully seamless wine that finishes with youthful medicinal reserve and building but thoroughly ripe tannins. A Medoc-like blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 10% cab franc and 5% petit verdot.
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