Wine Advocate February, 2013 Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2009 RunRig opens with wonderful perfume, and though this label usually contains a splash of Viognier, which could account for the fragrant nose, it has none this vintage. Redolent of violets and blueberries it is very spicy with an undercurrent of anise and Indian spices muddled with mulberries. Taut and elegant on the palate, it gives plenty of concentrated fruit flavor with crisp acid and firm, fine tannins. It finishes long. Drink it from 2016 to 2030+.

It seems to odd to say that a 97-point wine wasn't showing particularly well, but that's how I felt about the 2009 RunRig. It shows all of the rich, silky plushness expected of RunRig but maybe just a bit less perfume, looking more like black cherries and mocha than raspberries and violets. I still wouldn't throw it out of bed for eating crackers.

(100% shiraz; 15% alcohol): Inky purple. Displays room-filling scents of dark fruit preserves, oak spices, violet pastille, cola and licorice, with a cracked pepper nuance adding lift. Deeply concentrated boysenberry and cassis flavors reach every corner of the palate and show superb energy and clarity for their power. Intensely perfumed and appealingly sweet on the finish, which features substantial but integrated tannins and persistent floral and fruitcake qualities. Built for the long haul, no question, but there's a lot of upfront sex appeal here as well; you could drink it now without guilt--or perhaps just a twinge.