91 points, Jeb Dunnuck
90 points, James Suckling

This wine is drawn from the original estate founding Merlot blocks at Seven Hills Vineyard, planted by the McClellan family in the early 1980s. 2016 marks the 29th year of making Merlot from these same vines.

This vintage exhibits a beautiful dark ruby color and enticing aromas of blackberry, sweet oak spice, and light savory tones. The palate is supple and generous with plentiful red fruits accentuated by vanilla and spice and finishing with supple fruit and firm, spicy tannins. While drinking well at release, it will improve considerably with a few years of bottle age and should cellar well for up to ten years from vintage.