Wine Advocate 94 points!

Wine Advocate - "The 2006 L’Orage is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Cabernet Franc aged for 26 months in 50% new French oak. Opaque purple/black in color, it has an alluring perfume of pain grille, spice box, creme de cassis, and blackberry. Rich, layered, and opulent on the palate, this weighty effort has fully integrated its oak and the lengthy finish suggests a long life ahead. It will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2026."

From the winery: "The crown jewel of Sheridan Vineyard, L'Orage delights the eye with color befitting to a king, royal purple. L'Orage displays a beautifully forward spicy cocoa and cassis bouquet. You'll want to bury your nose in it! The vibrant palate is refined like custom silk, gliding across mouth with supple tannins and a finish that goes on forever. A majestic wine to age and enjoy."

The followup to Sheridan's monster initial offering, this is the 01 "Red". Kevin says it's better than the luscious 00, we're waiting impatiently to taste, and will post tasting notes as soon as we have a chance to try the wine.

Wine Spectator says: "This will be a sizeable operation when all 76 acres of the vineyard near Zillah are producing, but this first effort, from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot vines planted in 1997, marks this label as one to watch. Rich and artistocratic, it is utterly beguiling, with power, grace and marvelous blackberry, currant, blueberry, abd dark chocoalte notes swireling on a beautifully supple frame. Drink now through 2012." H.S.