For the first time in almost 10 years, we decided to submit our wines to Robert Parket to be tasted on his 2010 trip to Napa Valley.

Here are excerpts from his reviews published in the December 2010 Wine Advocate:

2008 Unrestrained Reserve   93+ points

The 2008 Unrestrained Reserve is a blend of 49% Cabernet Franc, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. Surprisingly, this wine seems more shy than any of the others in its aromatics, but I’m sure there’s a lot under the surface. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple, and the wine hints of black cherry liqueur, black currant, charcoal and camphor. In the mouth, it is juicy, full-bodied, opulent, and impossible to resist. It is a layered, concentrated, big wine but extremely well-balanced and pure. It should drink well for up to 15 or 20 years.  

2007 Unrestrained Reserve   94+ points

The 2007 Unrestrained Reserve (with the same blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) shares a similarly restrained character with its younger sibling. I don’t know what the explanation is. Inky purple, with hints of plum, Asian spice, black currants, jammy blackberries, and some licorice and graphite, the wine has fabulous richness, full-bodied power, and terrific intensity, purity and texture. All of these wines merit serious attention and are great examples of both vintages, demonstrating how close 2007 and 2008 can be in the hands of top winemakers with super terroirs. 

All three Merlots come from the southern Oak Knoll section of Napa Valley and all three are brilliant efforts that are as good as Merlot can be. Two more winners from O’Brien are their proprietary reds called Romance of The Heart (and Seduction ed.), both blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. O’Brien’s flagship wines (again from their holdings in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley) are the 2007 and 2008 Unrestrained Reserve.

2008 Merlot   93 points

The 2008 Merlot shocked me with its big, chocolaty, spicy nose with hints of Asian spices, chocolate-covered coffee beans, red and black fruits, and its heady, luxurious, full-bodied mouthfeel. This wine should drink well for a decade.  

2007 Merlot   92 points

The 2007 Merlot plays it closer to the vest. It possesses terrific concentration, not quite the spice profile of the 2008, but a big, opulent, classic style that we rarely see these days from California. 

2008 Merlot Reserve   94 points

The limited production 2008 Merlot Reserve is a bumped-up, richer version of the regular offering. It boasts a dense purple color, loads of fruit, concentration and opulence, and a heady, long finish.  It’s a stunning wine if you can find any. 

2008 Seduction Bordeaux Blend   94 points

This estate doesn’t make things easy, with two more proprietary wines called Seduction.  Another dense purple wine, the 2008 Seduction displays blueberries, spring flowers, and creme de cassis in a beautifully scented style. Silky smooth, “seductive,” rich, and opulent, this altogether hedonistic and intellectual turn-on should be drunk over the next decade.  

2007 Seduction Bordeaux Blend   94 points

The 2007 Seduction exhibits more graphite, licorice, black currant, and blackberry, with some floral underpinnings. I don’t like it better or worse than the 2008. Slightly more restrained, this gorgeous, medium to full-bodied wine is another impressive example of Napa viticulture at an attractive price point. 

2008 Passion of the Soul Cabernet Sauvignon   91+ points

The 2008 Passion of the Soul, which is a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley, boasts a dense ruby/purple color and oodles of cassis, licorice, and smoke. Full-bodied, concentrated and impressively built, it should drink nicely for another 15 or more years. 

2008 Romance of the Heart Bordeaux Blend   91 points

The 2008 Romance of the Heart is dense ruby/purple, with an opulent, juicy mouthfeel and loads of purity, texture, and length. It is a sexy wine for drinking now and over the next 7-10 years.

2007 Romance of the Heart Bordeaux Blend   93 points

The deep purple 2007 Romance of the Heart has more creme de cassis and even more flattering aromatics, an opulent mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and terrific purity and length. This should be drunk over the next decade.   

2008 Estate Chardonnay   88 points

The less expensive 2008 Chardonnay’s light green/gold color is followed by tropical fruit, peach, pear and lemon blossom aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, refreshing and loaded with fruit, it can be enjoyed over the next 1-3 years. 

2008 Chardonnay Reserve   90 points

The 2008 Chardonnay Reserve is a more steely, mineral-laced white revealing full body, good acidity, excellent concentration and fruit and a lighter color with a more greenish hue (always a good sign). It is one of the finest Napa Chardonnays I tasted on my recent trip.

Click here for a downloadable .pdf version of these reviews Robert Parker Reviews