International Wine Report - (97 Points)
The stunning 2021 Illusionist Reserve is a gorgeous blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. It's another flawlessly balanced, refined, and robust wine from the winemakers at Sleight of Hand that knocks it out of the park. Crème de cassis, freshly picked blackberries, pencil shavings, forest herbs, and green peppercorns, with additional shades of sweet vanilla bean and lemon zest, are all present and combined perfectly in the glass. This has the balance and texture to shine today with a heavy decant or over the next 15 years. Only 500 cases made. Highly recommended and editor's choice.
2024-2039. - Jeremy Young
Sean P Sullivan NW Wine Report - (93 Points)
Fruit for this wine comes from the winery's estate blocks in the Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain, and Walla Walla Valley. It was aged 20 months in French oak (60% new). The aromas show some reduction out of the gate. Beyond that are notes of dried, savory herb, berry, coffee, and cola, all seeming quite locked up at present. The flavors are graceful and fruit-forward, showing notes of herb, cherry, flower, and earth. There's a pleasing polish, focus, and purity, with the tannins combed to a fine sheen. It's still settling in, but the stuffing is all there. Best from 2027 to 2035. 14.3% alcohol.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - (94-96 Points)
Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2021 The Illusionist is juicy, succulent and dark red and black fruited with ripe and succulent herbal notes that sway with elegance and power before offering subtle hints of oak and brown baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is still tight with a fine mineral tension before showing layers of complexity over the long, spicy and juicy finish with lingering velvety tannins. It's already looking good.
Owen Bargreen - (94 Points)
The 2021 'The Illusionist is a refined blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cabernet
Franc and Petit Verdot that was sourced from estate blocks at the Blue Mountain, Red Mountain, and Phinny Hill Vineyards. Stored for 20 months in 60% new French oak, this delivers pure drinking pleasure with its core of cassis and black cherry fruit flavors alongside mocha, tar, pipe tobacco and black licorice flavors. Refined and elegant with its sleek mouthfeel, and great sense of length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2038
Vinuos - (93 Points)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon The Illusionist takes its time opening in the glass, evolving with subtle hints of oak spice and dried red and black fruits. It's luxuriously silky and nearly creamy in feel, with balanced acidity and depths of black currant and cherry that add a pleasantly bitter bite. Peppery inner florals linger over a bed of silky tannins, as the 2021 finishes with a sour twang and a light structure. The Illusionist will only require a short stay in the cellar before showing at its best.
Jeb Dunnuck - (94 Points)
l also loved the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Illusionist Reserve, an 800-case blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 63% new barrels. Cassis, fresh plums, graphite, crushed stone, and leafy herb notes all define the aromatics. It's medium to full-bodied and nicely structured, with integrated oak and enough tannins to warrant 2-4 years of bottle age.
