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Notes from the Winemaker:

A glass-coating opaque purple, it exhibits a sensational nose of earth, mushroom, leather, blueberry, and blackberry jam. On the palate the wine is supple-textured, complex, with vibrant flavors of spicy blue and black fruits and a big-time WOW factor. This is a totally hedonistic effort with exceptional length and balance. It is remarkably light on its feet for such a powerful wine.

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94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
The 2008 Clio is made up of 70% old vine Monastrell sourced from a vineyard planted in 1944 and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard planted in 1979. The alcoholic fermentation is in oak followed by malolactic fermentation in new barrels and aging for 24 months in new French and American oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it exhibits an expressive nose of pain grille, underbrush, brier, mineral, blueberry, and blackberry fruit leading to a plush, opulent wine with great density, savory flavors, and a lengthy finish. In spite of its size, it is surprisingly light on its feet and can be approached now. However, it will evolve for 3-4 years and offer prime drinking from 2014 to 2023.

92 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
This modern red shows toasty oak, with spice, light cola and coffee notes, balanced by lively blackberry and boysenberry fruit, and supported by firm, well-integrated tannins. Juicy acidity keeps this fresh through the spicy finish. Drink now through 2018.—T.M.

91+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:

(70% monastrell and 30% cabernet sauvignon, raised for two years in new French and American oak):  Saturated purple.  Oak-spiced aromas of black and blue fruits, with notes of woodsmoke and vanilla gaining strength with air.  Broad and fleshy, with very good depth and power to its boysenberry and cassis flavors.  Finishes with chewy tannins, excellent clinging length and an echoing vanilla note.  This needs some time for the oak and fruit to get to know each other.   

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