Robert Parker Ratings - Wine Advocate #196 August 2011
2009 Écluse “Improv” Lock Vineyard
Rating: 90 Points
The 2009 Improv (59% Syrah, 41% Zinfandel) saturates the palate with layers of dark fruit, smoke, espresso, licorice and spices. It is a big wine, with considerable inner sweetness and ripeness, yet it is also beautifully balanced. The Zinfandel comes through loud and clear, especially on the finish. The estate gave the Improv 18 months in oak barrels, 50% new, with a preference for American and Hungarian oak in the Zinfandel components and went into bottle with no fining or filtration.
-Antonio Galloni
2009 Écluse Grenache
Rating: 90 Points
The 2009 Grenache is an attractive, mid-weight wine redolent of sweet red cherries, flowers, spices and mint. It, too, shows lovely persistence all the way through to the long, polished finish. The Grenache saw 18 months in oak, 33% new and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
-Antonio Galloni
