"Complex, musky scents of black raspberry, plum, woodsmoke, cocoa powder, earth and leather. Broad and full-bodied on the palate, with its black fruit, menthol and spice flavors leavened by an element of medicinal reserve. This big, bone-dry wine finishes with serious mouthdusting tannins and lingering flavors of black fruits and spicy oak. - Stephen Tanzer."
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2019), 91+ pts

"This has a distinctive, violet and plum nose in classic merlot style with subtly earthy complexity, too. The palate has a juicy and supple array of plush, succulent tannins and delivers an exceptionally fresh yet deeply flavorful finish. A merlot-dominant blend with cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Try from 2022."

- James Suckling (July 2019), 94 pts

"The 2016 Pedestal Merlot has a precise nose of dusty plum, red flowers and soft oak tones with an elegant aroma of pencil lead fluttering about. The medium to full-bodied palate is clean and correct, with plush dark red fruit, dusty tannins, purple flowers and soft oak spices of vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg. The wine ends with a long, thoughtful, well-balanced finish that delivers complexity and pleasure simultaneously. Michel Rolland made this beauty of a bottle. - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #246, December 2019), 94 pts

"The 2016 Pedestal from Michel Rolland checks in as a blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 85% new French oak. It has a rocking bouquet of smoked black fruits, espresso, chocolate, and tobacco that gives way to a full-bodied, plump, incredibly sexy red that does everything right. It's one serious mouthful of Merlot and should keep for 10-12 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2019), 95 pts