Colgin Cellars

IX Estate Napa Valley Red Blend

9.469 ratings
9.114 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The nose speaks velvety, slightly perfumed floral, ruby fruits of; dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, very black plum, mulberries, boysenberries and some hints strawberries & raspberries. Soft, subtle, sexy, dark spices, incense, potpourri, cherry kirsch, understated anise, dark, used expresso grounds, savory meats, fresh tobacco, leather, oak barrel dust, dark rich soils, graphite, dry limestone powder, dry herbaceousness, clove, light nutmeg/cinnamon & vanillin with fresh but leaning withering; dark, red, purple and blue flowers wrapped in soft lavender.

The palate is beautiful with velvety tannins that still punch as meaty & tarry. The tension & structure are just out of adolescence. The balance & length are stunning now but, show room for further improvement 10 years down the road. One small flaw is you sense some elevated alcohol vapors. Velvety, slightly perfumed floral, ruby fruits of; dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, very black plum, mulberries, plums, boysenberries and some hints strawberries & raspberries. Soft, subtle, sexy, dark spices with heat, incense, potpourri, cherry kirsch, understated anise, raspberry cola, dark, used expresso grounds, savory meats, iron deposits, fresh tobacco, leather, oak barrel dust, dark rich soils, mix of dry & moist clay, graphite, volcanic ash, dry limestone powder, dry herbaceousness, black & some white pepper, clove, light nutmeg/cinnamon & vanillin, caramel notes, mocha powder with fresh but leaning withering, dark, red, purple and blue flowers wrapped in soft lavender. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is; ruby, lush, silky, velvety, elegance defined, extremely well knitted & balanced fruit & earth, persisting endlessly onto earth & spice.

If you own the 05, leave it in your cellar another 5-8 years before opening.

Photos of, a downslope view of the Estate & vines, their gated entrance, their private wine cellar & the Estate building.

The nose speaks velvety, slightly perfumed floral, ruby fruits of; dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, very black plum, mulberries, boysenberries and some hints strawberries & raspberries. Soft, subtle, sexy, dark spices, incense, potpourri, cherry kirsch, understated anise, dark, used expresso grounds, savory meats, fresh tobacco, leather, oak barrel dust, dark rich soils, graphite, dry limestone powder, dry herbaceousness, clove, light nutmeg/cinnamon & vanillin with fresh but leaning withering; dark, red, purple and blue flowers wrapped in soft lavender.

The palate is beautiful with velvety tannins that still punch as meaty & tarry. The tension & structure are just out of adolescence. The balance & length are stunning now but, show room for further improvement 10 years down the road. One small flaw is you sense some elevated alcohol vapors. Velvety, slightly perfumed floral, ruby fruits of; dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, very black plum, mulberries, plums, boysenberries and some hints strawberries & raspberries. Soft, subtle, sexy, dark spices with heat, incense, potpourri, cherry kirsch, understated anise, raspberry cola, dark, used expresso grounds, savory meats, iron deposits, fresh tobacco, leather, oak barrel dust, dark rich soils, mix of dry & moist clay, graphite, volcanic ash, dry limestone powder, dry herbaceousness, black & some white pepper, clove, light nutmeg/cinnamon & vanillin, caramel notes, mocha powder with fresh but leaning withering, dark, red, purple and blue flowers wrapped in soft lavender. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is; ruby, lush, silky, velvety, elegance defined, extremely well knitted & balanced fruit & earth, persisting endlessly onto earth & spice.

If you own the 05, leave it in your cellar another 5-8 years before opening.

Photos of, a downslope view of the Estate & vines, their gated entrance, their private wine cellar & the Estate building.

Dec 6th, 2020
Rick Baumgarten

More from a great birthday party (not mine) with lots of terrific wines. This qualified as great for sure.

More from a great birthday party (not mine) with lots of terrific wines. This qualified as great for sure.

Jun 15th, 2019
Bill Bender

This was spectacular from the pop and provided en mag via the good graces of one @Dag Zapatero. A sweet, succulent, feminine profile with substantial backbone and a long gorgeous finish. A real treat.

This was spectacular from the pop and provided en mag via the good graces of one @Dag Zapatero. A sweet, succulent, feminine profile with substantial backbone and a long gorgeous finish. A real treat.

1 person found it helpfulJul 23rd, 2016
Nathaniel DiMaggio

Solid bottle but I think they're cabs are more distinct.

Solid bottle but I think they're cabs are more distinct.

Mar 31st, 2017
Bill Bender

Weighty and profound. Stewed plum, damp earth. It's in a nice spot.

Weighty and profound. Stewed plum, damp earth. It's in a nice spot.

Jan 16th, 2016
David Mason

Sommelier/Wine Director Inn at Palmetto Bluff

7.4

Monster

Monster

Oct 11th, 2013
David Beckwith

Partner/Wine Advisor Grand Cru Wine Consulting

8.3

More mellow than I thought it would be.

More mellow than I thought it would be.

Feb 23rd, 2013
Tom Garland

Open the Bottle night(last Sat of Feb.) and thought I would sacrifice this bottle tonight.

+1 hour decant(chunky/fine sediment). A fabulous dark purplish garnet color with little bricking. On the nose: Intoxicating savory perfumed notes of dark red fruit, forest floor, cigar ash, stewed meat, smoke, soil. Taste: dark cherry/plum, espresso, leather, dark chocolate and a smokey/spiced/earthy long dry finish. YUM! Some slightly kickin still there tannins, but in a good spot for me with time to go at 19 years.

Open the Bottle night(last Sat of Feb.) and thought I would sacrifice this bottle tonight.

+1 hour decant(chunky/fine sediment). A fabulous dark purplish garnet color with little bricking. On the nose: Intoxicating savory perfumed notes of dark red fruit, forest floor, cigar ash, stewed meat, smoke, soil. Taste: dark cherry/plum, espresso, leather, dark chocolate and a smokey/spiced/earthy long dry finish. YUM! Some slightly kickin still there tannins, but in a good spot for me with time to go at 19 years.

Feb 24th, 2024
Norman Gennaro

Was a tough night for wine of the night. This was better than great. I missed getting a pic of the 1990 Haut Brion which took the night by a wide margin. I have that as a 10.

Was a tough night for wine of the night. This was better than great. I missed getting a pic of the 1990 Haut Brion which took the night by a wide margin. I have that as a 10.

Mar 30th, 2023
Ryan Mullins

Knees and elbows to me

Knees and elbows to me

Aug 4th, 2016