The 2009 exhibits an almost opaque blue/black color and is saturated to the rim. Aromas of sweet Maduro tobacco, ripe blackberry and Jasmine waft from the glass and evolve to show aromas of dry chaparral and native herbs; fennel, licorice and chemise.

The wine has considerable density but is framed by tannic structure from its hillside upbringing and ample acidity from its proximity to the cool of the Russian River Valley below.

The middle of this wine begins with saturated black fruit and rotates seamlessly into secondary flavors of damp earth, cedar and graphite. The finish is long and intricate with cleansing acidity that pulls you back. Drinking well now but anticipated maturity window should extend from 2020-2030 with proper cellaring. Recommend standing upright 24 hours prior to decanting off the natural sediment that occurs with this unfiltered and un-fined wine.

Although the wine is un-rated at present, we believe that the wine is the best Creo produced in our short history, surpassing the 2007 (95 points WE) and 2008 (94 points WE) vintages.