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JCB Leopard Reviews

Score: 92 | January 31, 2024 | Wine Advocate

An intriguing blend of roughly two-thirds Oak Knoll Syrah and one-third St. Helena Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Leopard boasts an impressively complex nose of piney herbs, menthol and tobacco leaf set against a base of cherries and blueberries. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is silky and soft, tender almost, favoring the "Aww—it's so cute" side over the lithe, muscular, predatory aspect of its namesake.

Score: 92 | December 20, 2023 | James Suckling

Blackcurrants, violets, cassis blossoms, bay leaves and baking spices. Full-bodied with firm tannins. Juicy core of blue fruit with spices and herbs mixing together nicely. Intense and focused with a transparent, lively finish. Try after 2025.

Score: 96 | October 27, 2022 | The Wine Independent

The 2015 Leopard is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, and 11% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet colored, it needs a little swirling to reveal notes of charcuterie, tapenade, and black pepper with a core of blackcurrant cordial, prunes, blueberry compote, and menthol, plus a hint of tobacco leaf. The full-bodied palate is rich, firm, and grainy with a lively backbone, finishing long and energetic.

Score: 96+ | October 27, 2022 | The Wine Independent

The 2019 Leopard is a blend of 56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc. It needs vigorous shaking to bring out alluring notes of violets, dark chocolate, star anise, and garrigue over baked blueberries and preserved plums with a waft of black pepper. The full-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness and loads of palate treats - spices, pepper, meaty nuances - framed by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing with great length.

Score: 94 | March 10, 2022 | Jeb Dunnuck

Blackberries, peppery herbs, leather, and sappy green herb notes all emerge from the 2019 Leopard, a blend of 56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc. This medium to full-bodied, ripe, super sexy, seamless red will drink well for 10-12 years.