94pts Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 38% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2019 Parabellum Alluvio offers a Bordeaux-like nose of spiced red and black currants, lead pencil, tobacco, and sappy herbs. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, supple, concentrated blend that has enough fruit and texture to offer pleasure today yet the structure and balance to evolve for 15 years if stored correctly. Best After 2022.
94pts Wine Enthusiast
This is a blend of Merlot (38%), Cabernet Sauvignon (37%), Cabernet Franc (19%) and Petit Verdot. The aromas immediately draw you into the glass, with notes of scorched earth, black cherry, currant, dark raspberry and bittersweet chocolate. Ripe, intense, highly structured dark-fruit flavors follow, with fruit and barrel intertwining. It needs time to unwind but will be well-worth the wait. Enjoy after 2027.
Tasting Notes
The best vintage of Alluvio yet and the most universally appealing, the blend works so harmoniously to marry rich Cabernet black fruits with velvety Merlot red fruits. Like the Coulee, the texture is mind-melting and creamy–it would be enough if it stopped there but no, give me tobacco, warm earth, and graphite accents and you’ve made me an even bigger fan.
Blend: 38% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot