2010 Sean Thackrey ‘Orion’ Red Blend Old Vines/Rossi Vineyard Napa Valley

WSI95+ VIN96 (15.2% alcohol): Saturated ruby. Knockout nose offers sappy blackberry, tar, licorice and a suggestion of 4th of July sparklers. Hugely sweet and thick but with great youthful cut and energy to its extract-rich flavors of dark berries, black cherry, pine resin and licorice; as primary as a barrel sample yet exhilarating to taste today. Like a live wire in the mouth, this great vintage of Orion finishes with full, seamless tannins and outstanding sappy length. For all its power, it’s also extremely suave. I’d love to try another bottle in 20 years.

Jay James:
Again hailing from St. Helena’s Rossi Vineyard, the 2010 Orion shows all of the same warm, mediterranean flavors found in the earlier vintages – savory herbs, rubbed sage, bright red and black fruits that have just been confected into jelly and jam. Showing ample structure and surprisingly deep and dark – this wine has many years left to develop, but it’s very enjoyable right now.