94 points James Suckling

Intense violets, dark chocolate and berries. Licorice. It’s full-bodied with super-integrated tannins and a beautiful silky texture. It’s long and fresh.  (5/2014)

94 points Wine Advocate

The Merlot-based 2010 Proprietary Red Wine Firebelle boasts stunning depth, power and richness. Black cherries, chocolate, spices and new leather explode from the glass in this deep, resonant wine. There is more than enough fruit to fill out the wine’s big, broad-shouldered frame. This is an especially structured vintage for the Firebelle, partly because the Merlot is the lowest ever. Winemaker Andy Smith did a lot of co-ferments with the 2010 to bring all of the elements together. Drink through 2030. (AG)  (12/2012)

92 points Int’l Wine Cellar

Bright ruby-red. Blackberry, black raspberry and plum aromas are complicated by coffee and tobacco. Densely packed and vinous, already showing considerable complexity to its berry, bitter chocolate and iron flavors. At once fine-grained and juicy if not especially fleshy. (This year’s release contains the lowest percentage to date of Merlot.) I’d lay this down for four or five years. (ST)  (6/2013)