The 2013 Illusionist is everything we dream of when we dream of Cabernet, it is dark, savory, and full bodied, while remaining balanced and elegant. Aged for 20 months in 60% new French oak, this wine is aromatically compelling, filled with aromas of cedar, tobacco, graphite, and a hint of fennel and vanilla. Dark fruit notes of blackberry and cassis explode on entry, and are quickly followed up with dark cherry and savory herbal flavors that linger through out the extended finish. The tannins are fine-grained and well integrated and provide structure that will reward an extended period in the cellar.
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck 93 pts
It offer lots of cassis, graphite, lead pencil shavings and a touch of herbs in a full-bodied, elegant, beautifully ripe profile. Coming mostlyfrom Blue Mountain Vineyard in the Walla WallaValley AVA, Scooteney Flats Vineyard and Red Mountain Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA, it's aged in 60% new French oak. Given the purity and depth of fruit, I expect it to drink nicely on release, but it will have an easy 15+ years of overall long-evity as well.
