95 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"Grilled herbs, mocha, cloves, menthol, black fruits, licorice and smoke all burst from the glass in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, layered and explosive, the 2011 boasts fabulous depth, concentration and richness. The 2011 stands out for its aromatic nuance, intensity and balance. Firm, yet beautifully integrated tannins support the powerful finish. The 2011 is a pure mountain Cabernet Sauvignon full of personality. Ideally the 2011 needs a few more years in bottle to soften the tannins a touch. Owners Manuel and Cristina Pires build on an already impressive track record of early successes with their 2011 and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignons. The wines are fermented in concrete and aged in French oak barrels, mostly new. Consulting winemaker Philippe Melka captures an attractive stylistic middle ground of textural richness allied to a distinct sense of place in these firm, structured Pritchard Hill Cabernets. As beautiful as the Gandona wines are, my sense is that they would speak more of site with less new oak and/or lower toast levels."