Flying Pig

Produced: 2001 - present

Professional reviews and tasting notes from prior vintages added as published (scores within parentheses indicate barrel samples):

2021

97 Points. … Earthy with shades of green peppercorn, wet-tilled earth, and cedary herbs, it pops out of the glass with notes of blackberries, mountain blueberries, cassis, dried herbs, and licorice root. Wonderfully balanced, the focus is on the crunchy tannins and lovely blue and black fruit finish with just a touch of ground pepper that flows over the back palate. Highly recommended. —Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

96 Points. Instantly impressive in the glass, the 2021 Flying Pig … bursts from the glass with seductive notes of black cherry skin, dusty plums and notes of dried herbs and turned earth. Medium-bodied yet round and succulent, the palate explodes with energy and a beautiful balance between dark fruit skin and earth. A food-friendly, tannic grip holds through the long, lingering, ever-evolving finish that has me coming back for more. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

96 Points. The wine is marvelously stony, as it was aged in 30% new French oak before bottling. Garrigue and wet stone parade around chocolate, allspice-dusted black currants and bacon fat tones on the palate. Gorgeous and full of life, with bright underlying tension, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten-plus years. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

95 Points. A Cabernet Franc-dominated blend … the 2021 Flying Pig is medium ruby/purple-hued, with Bordeaux-like notes of black cherries, new leather, smoked herbs, lead pencil, and just a kiss of that Rocks umami character in the background. Medium to full-bodied, pure, balanced, and elegant on the palate, it has silky tannins and no hard edges. It, too, has an up-front, approachable style. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

94 Points, Critic’s Choice. Aromas of sliced green pepper, spicy pepper, fresh and dried herb, and red fruit lead to rounded-feeling, piercingly pure, palate-coating, layered dark fruit and herb flavors. There’s intensity of flavor while it retains brightness and balance. It hangs forever on the finish. It’s a truly stunning wine – one of the best offerings of the Pig to date. It’s also a testament to the strength of these varieties in this part of the valley. —Sean Sullivan, Northwest Wine Report

94 Points. Flying in with aromas of roasted pork shoulder (sorry, Pig), boysenberries and peach, the Pig is fresh and lively. Cherry and ginger flavors are joined by bits of thyme and molasses, all backed by crisp acidity and velvety tannins. —Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast

2020

96 Points. This stunning blend of 46% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels. The 2020 Flying Pig abounds with sensual aromas and flavors of savory herbs, hints of vanilla bean and sweet clove, and black currant and black raspberry. It has an incredible structure with a perfect balance of tannin and acidity while finishing with a lovely saline and mountain sage note on the mid-palate. A small production of 229 cases was made. Highly recommended. —Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

95 Points. The 2020 Flying Pig is a follow up to the truly outstanding 2019 edition. This version blends 46% Cabernet Franc with 37% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Stored for 19 months in 30% new oak, this offers gorgeous red bell pepper, red currants and menthol notes on the palate with stony and savory accents truly rocking. Very refined, with good tension and flavor density, this is beautiful wine to savor now. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

94 Points. The 2020 Flying Pig opens with a rich and dusty blend of crushed raspberries, mint and sage, accented by nuances of white pepper and cracked chalk. This is savory yet silky to the core, with texturally ripe red and black fruits that swirl throughout, enlivened by vibrant acidity. The lightly-structured 2020 finishes with tremendous length and sweet tannins, as nuances of spiced blood orange and blueberries fade... It's a beauty. —Eric Guido, Vinous

94 Points. Gorgeously savory and flavorful Bordeaux blend with aromas of tea leaves, wild cherries, nutmeg, grilled herbs, bergamot and olives. Seaweed, too. It’s medium- to full-bodied with chalky, fine tannins. Fresh earthiness here. Tightens at the end. 46% cabernet franc, 37% merlot and 17% cabernet sauvignon. Drink from 2024. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

2019

97 Points. Sporting one of the best labels out there (it literally has a flying pig on it), the 2019 Flying Pig is 45% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. I love its texture, and it's incredibly pure, refined, and seamless, with medium to full bodied richness as well as a Bordeaux-like nose of blackcurrants, mulled cherries, sandalwood, leafy herbs, sweet earth, and hints of charcoal. It has some upfront appeal, yet the tannins emerge with time in the glass, and this beauty warrants 3-5 years in the cellar. It's going to have 20-25+ years of prime drinking. It's a stunning wine and matches the 2018 as one of the finest vintages out there. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

96+ Points. The 2019 Flying Pig bursts from the glass with a bouquet of spiced citrus rinds giving way to dusty rose, wild blueberries and wet stone. This is silky-smooth with medium-bodied weight and vividly ripe wild berry fruits complemented by rosemary and olive nuances. Residual acidity keeps the mouth-watering through the dramatic finale, as notes of licorice and peppery herbal tones resonate throughout. The combination of 45% Cabernet Franc and 44% Merlot really works wonders here, showing the best traits of both varieties, nicely offset by an 11% dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon. —Eric Guido, Vinous

95 Points. ...[A] gorgeous blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot (45% each) with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc seems to be shining the most brightly, as red bell pepper and red rose petals combine with sagebrush, wet stone and suggestions of loganberry preserves... Rich dark fruits and a dusting of white pepper parade with gravel, barberry and garrigue notes on the palate. This becomes even better after an hour of air, as more of the herbal tones dust off and the fruit character ripens. Finishing long, this outstanding wine is best consumed over the next 10 years. Drink 2022-2032. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

93 Points. A nose of juicy red and black fruit, accented by notes of cured meat, sweet paprika and toasted thyme. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Succulent fruit with notes of vanilla, grated nutmeg and cardamom. Lovely. 45% cabernet franc, 44% merlot and 11% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

2018

97 Points. The 2018 Flying Pig checks in as 45% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. Beautiful, classic Cabernet Franc notes of red and black currants, cedarwood, forest floor, leafy herbs, and rose petals gives way to a medium to full-bodied, silky, elegant blend offering terrific tannins as well as outstanding length. In the same league as the 2016, this brilliant wine will stand up to any Cabernet Franc blend out there. It can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

97 Points. The 2018 Flying Pig is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and begins with classic notions of roasted red bell pepper, juicy dark cherry and dusty plum with elements of roasted sage, dried herbs and baked earth. Medium to full-bodied, the wine offers a balanced structure with lifting tannins that sway with a dusty mineral tension in the mouth. The wine concludes with a long, lingering and silky finish that will continue to be food-friendly and provide pleasure for years to come. For any Cabernet Franc lover, you'll want to put this on your radar. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

97 Points. Blackberry, black-cherry, tar, tobacco, clove and thyme aromas. It’s full-bodied with sleek, velvety tannins. Focused and fresh with a deliciously herbed and spiced core. 45% cabernet franc, 44% merlot and 11% cabernet sauvignon. Drink now or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

95 Points. The 2018 Flying Pig blends 45% Cabernet Franc with 45% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. The vegetal tones from the Cabernet Franc are beautiful, as bay leaf, garrigue, green bell pepper and orange zest flavors mingle with the red and dark fruits on the palate. The flavor density here is outstanding. Wonderfully balanced, with a soft mouthfeel and a great veil of tension, this beautiful wine has a long way to go in the cellar. —Owen Bargreen, Vinous

2017

95 Points. Based on 50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon… sports a deeper ruby/purple color as well as rocking levels of blackcurrant and black cherry fruits interwoven with notes of tobacco leaf, cedar pencil, damp earth, and spice. Bordeaux-like on both the nose and palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a great, rounded texture, and a clean finish. It’s beautiful example of this cuvée… —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

94+ Points. A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Flying Pig displays with a dark ruby center and all of the markers for a classic and well-made wine. A myriad of aromas burst from the glass with juicy red and dark-berried freshness upfront, followed by elements of roasted bell pepper, juicy plum and dark cherry along with an array of red and purple flowers and a subtle lingering mineral note. Medium to full-bodied, the wine elegantly slides across the palate, oozing with precision and finesse. A delicate, yet growing flavor of baking spices grows in intensity, showcasing a soft, yet impeccably balanced expression of French oak. The mid-palate displays magnificent balance with energetic acidity, freshness of fruit and skillfully managed tannins before offering a long, sophisticated finish. As an admirer of Cabernet Franc, I thoroughly enjoyed this expression, since the wine is rich and voluminous without being overdone. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

2016

96+ Points. A blend of 49% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in 40-50% new demi-muids, the 2016 Flying Pig has a fabulous nose of black cherries, cassis, white chocolate, tobacco, and rose petal. Complex, perfumed, and just singing on the nose, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It’s going to age beautifully. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

94 Points. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Flying Pig is scented of red and black fruit—black cherry and dusty plum skin—with a seductive floral tone and elegant oak spices mingling on the nuanced and savory nose. Clean and correct on the palate, the wine has a real focus on quality and freshness, with a rocky mineral tension on the mid-palate. It ends with a complex finish, as cassis, minerality and finely structured tannins all compete for your attention. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

93 Points. This has a distinctive, meaty edge with pepper-dusted cassis and mulberries that lead to a palate that has medium body and a fresh, long and juicy resolve at the finish, A blend of 49% merlot, 40% cabernet franc and 11% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

93 Points. This wine is a blend of 49% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of green pepper, savory herb, cherry, peat and earth are at the fore. The palate is more fruitful than this area often is and also brings a considerable amount of tannic structure for the region. A fruit and savory finish ends it. —Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

2015

(94-96) Points. Deeply colored, with notes of black cherry, plums, graphite, lead pencil and dried herbs, the 2015 Flying Pig (mostly Merlot and Cabernet Franc) is full-bodied and impressively polished on the palate, with fine, fine tannin. It has plenty of richness and texture, but it stays incredibly elegant, fresh and light on the palate, with beautiful purity. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

2014

96+ Points. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 40% new 600-liter barrles, the 190-case 2014 Flying Pig offers an intense nose of chocolate-covered cherries, dried herbs/tobacco, lead pencil shavings and damp earth. Rich, beautifully layered, concentrated and full-bodied, this is quite possibly the greatest vintage to date of this cuvee. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

93 Points. (13.4% alcohol; aged in Taransaud puncheons, 40% new): Bright red-ruby. Musky but pure aromas of black cherry, dark berries and smoked meat convey a sexy note of reduction. Surprisingly plush and sweet in the middle palate following the reticent nose, with dark fruit flavors complemented by sexy oak tones and notes of olive tapenade and spices. Tightens up again on the firmly tannic, classically dry back end. This solidly structured, fine-grained blend should gain further complexity with a few more years in the bottle.—Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

2013

93 Points. Made from equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium ruby colored 2013 Flying Pig gives up lots of black cherry, violets, spring flowers and savory spice in its medium to full-bodied, elegant, silky personality. Raised in 30% new puncheons, with the balance second and third fill barrels, it should drink nicely for another decade. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

2012

97 Points. A blend of 48% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2012 Flying Pig is one of the Bordeaux blends of the vintage. Offering lots of cassis, graphite, chocolate, violet and floral notes, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fine-grained tannin and stunning length. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

94 Points. (from en Cerise and Cailloux vineyards; aged in 50% new oak, mostly puncheons): Healthy medium red. Very ripe aromas of dark berries, olive tapenade and smoked meat. Silky, subtle and sweet, boasting a seamless texture and wonderful precision to its flavors of raspberry, meat, spices and olive. Finishes with utterly suave tannins. The most stylish vintage to date for this bottling, which has gained in refinement in recent years. —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

2011

95 Points. A Merlot-dominated blend, the 2011 Flying Pig checks in as 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 12 months in 50% new French oak before being moved to large oak puncheons. Deep-ruby in color, it has beautiful cassis, plum, licorice, olive tapenade and lead pencil shaving-like aromas and flavors that give way to a full-bodied, layered and concentrated 2011 that has beautifully integrated oak, plenty of mid-palate and a terrific finish. Enjoy it anytime over the coming 10-15 years. –Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

92 Points. Good deep, bright red. Aromas and flavors of raspberry coulis complicated by nuances of black pepper, vanilla, herbs, mocha and smoke. At once sweet and savory, with firm acidity carrying the fruit through a long saline finish featuring very suave tannins. Dense, deep and very concentrated. –Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

2010

96 Points....the 2010 Flying Pig is a Cabernet Franc-dominated blend that incorporates 37% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon into the blend. Loaded with notions of cassis, dried flowers, saline-like minerality, exotic spice and damp earth, it flows onto the palate with a juicy, brilliantly focused profile, with a core of sweet fruit, full-bodied richness and no hard edges. Give it 3-4 years to fill out and enjoy it over the following decade. Drink 2017-2027. –Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

93 Points. Fresh and vibrant, pulsing with cherry, raspberry and spice flavors that glide onto the long and evocative finish. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2018. 187 cases made. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2009

94 Points. Baron’s as usual Cabernet Franc-dominated 2009 Flying Pig – incorporating 34% Merlot as well as 12% Cabernet Sauvignon; its entirety sourced from the 1998 En Cerise plantings; and assembled around nine months after fermentation – gives a mouthwatering impression of being suffused with savory, carnal, fatty pan drippings. If this libation doesn’t qualify as high umami, I don’t know what would! With that come ripe, succulent, subtly tart-edged cassis and blueberry; bittersweet floral perfume; as well as rich yet piquant toasty walnut and hickory, all of which ally on a polished, soothing palate, leading to a long, vibrantly dynamic and – as already adumbrated – salivary gland-milking finish. This should prove a terrifically memorable table companion over the coming decade if not also beyond. –David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

93 Points. The Flying Pig is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. Bursting with a ripe, succulent cherry flavor, it offers layers of blackberry and spice, with floral highlights of talcum powder and rose. It’s has a potpourri tone that dots the long, spicy finish. Perfect for ribs in a sweet barbecue sauce. –Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast

91(+?) Points. Good full medium red. Blackberry, licorice and tobacco on the nose, lifted by violet and clove; very cabernet franc. Juicy and tight, showing modest complexity today to its raspberry and tobacco leaf flavors. This firmly structured franc has an essential softness but will still need time to unwind. –Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

2008

97 Points....the 2008 Flying Pig, a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, Dried herbs, spice box, mineral, cassis, and black cherry aromas inform the nose of a savory, succulent, layered, lengthy offering that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and provide optimum drinking through 2023. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

2007

96 Points. The 2007 Flying Pig is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. Baron’s take on Cheval Blanc, the wine is sourced from yields of 1.3 tons per acre. It offers up a kinky bouquet of liquid rock, Asian spices, incense, and wild berries. Full-bodied but light on its feet, this complex effort is hard to resist now but will easily evolve for another 5-7 years due to its impeccable balance. Drink this pleasure-bent wine from 2015 to 2027. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

2006

95 Points. The 2006 Flying Pig is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. Baron’s take on Cheval Blanc, the wine was sourced from yields of 1.3 tons per acre. It offers up a sexy bouquet of mineral, Asian spices, incense, black cherry, and black currant. Full-bodied but light on its feet, this complex effort is hard to resist now but will easily evolve for another 5-7 years due to its impeccable balance. Drink this pleasure-bent wine from 2015 to 2026. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

2005

95 Points. The 2005 Flying Pig is 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot aged in 50% new oak. Opaque purple with an exotic perfume, on the palate the wine is mouth-coating and rich with the oak totally integrated. The wine manages to be both elegant and powerful with minerals and spice on the mid-palate and a very long, fruit-filled finish. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

92 Points. Smooth and round, with pleasant mineral and root beer notes weaving through the pretty raspberry, red cherry and currant fruit. Remains silky and seductive as the finish sails on beautifully. Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2013. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2004

94 Points. The 2004 Flying Pig is 57% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak, 60% new. Purple-colored, the perfume is marked by the Cabernet Franc with its herbal/menthol notes. In addition, there is an abundance of pain grille, spice box, licorice, and black currants. Velvety-textured, the wine is super-rich, layered, and showy on the palate. There is plenty of ripe tannin to accompany the sweet fruit, and terrific length. Allow 6-8 years in the cellar and drink this brilliant effort through 2040. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

91 Points. Supple and spicy, with a dill and green peppercorn edge to the silky-textured currant and prune flavors. This is a complex wine that refines itself into a fine beam as the finish lingers well. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2012. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2003

90 Points. Dark red. Deeply pitched aromas of smoke and beefsteak tomato. Fatter and sweeter in the mouth than the Widowmaker, with an impression of smoother acidity. Thick with material but quite meaty at the outset, with the fruit coming up only after time in the glass. In a very round, seamless style, and long on the aftertaste. Like the Widowmaker, this should be decanted for a couple of hours or laid down for three or four years. –Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

92 Points. Light and refined, with a strong minty note running through the raspberry and cream flavors, lingering endlessly on the polished finish. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2010. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2002

93 Points. A very classy red, soft, silky, open-textured and ripe, with boysenberry, currant and delicately floral aromas and flavors, all lingering effortlessly on the harmonious finish. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2012. 162 cases made. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

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