"The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon S2 boasts a deep purple color as well as a classic bouquet of creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, and licorice aromas. Heady, dense, and medium to full-bodied, with plenty of ripe tannin, it is an intense, powerful 2003. This big Cabernet is best consumed during its first decade of life. The highly respected South Australian viticulturists/winemakers, Sarah and Sparky Marquis, in partnership with their importer, Dan Philips of the Grateful Palate, successfully launched the inexpensive line of Marquis Philips wines several years ago, creating something of a monster because of their enormous crowd appeal. While 2003 is a lighter vintage than its predecessors, these offerings have turned out nicely. The handful of consumers who deemed 2002 too concentrated for such inexpensive wines will be delighted to learn that the 2003s are slightly lighter, but still loaded with character as well as flavor. They possess heavy duty, exuberant fruit, ripeness, and considerable personality."  Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct. 2004.

"Saturated full ruby, the color of syrah. Aromas of cassis, black licorice and tarry oak. Dense, concentrated and penetrating, with juicy, syrah-like flavors of cassis, black raspberry, pepper and meat. This offers lovely sweetness and concentration. Sweet and supple but not at all cloying. Shows good firm structure on the back end."  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jul/Aug 2004.