A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest the other Bordeaux varietals. An exquisite value, this is a seductive, fleshy, fruity wine with excellent texture, body, and balance. Lots of cassis as well as silky tannins characterize this top bargain pick! Drink it over the next 5-7 years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 90

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

A top-notch value Cabernet with no flaws. The fruit on the nose is pretty and stylish but doesn't force the issue, while the palate is juicy and fresh with flavors of cola, cassis and wild Berry. Not a complicated wine, but one that pushes all the right buttons. Ripe and friendly to the last drop. A lot of wine for the money.

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 90

[Issue: 09/01/09]

Susana Balbo is very high on Mendozas 2009 vintage, calling it a fantastic year. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 5 months in seasoned French and American oak. It is purple-colored with a classy nose of cigar box, cassis, black currant, and violets. Medium-to full bodied, it has excellent depth, savory flavors, ripe tannin for balance, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now and over the next 4-5 years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 90

[Issue: #184 / Aug 09]

Polished, round and generous, offering a plush mouthful of blackberry, cherry and mint flavors that ride easily over fine tannins through the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2015.

Wine Spectator Rating: 90

[Issue: Oct 15/10]

This is one of the best buys on the market now for a Cabernet of this quality at this price. It’s a wonderful wine, well structured and dry, with lush flavors of blackberries, currants, herbs and cedar that are wrapped into firm, ripe tannins. Should develop additional complexity through 2014.

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 90

[Issue: 06/01/10]

Last year I was shown four De Lisio wines, this year only the entry level 2007 Quarterback, a sign of the times in a microcosm. The wine is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Shiraz, and 17% Grenache aged for 15 months in seasoned French oak. Dark ruby in color, it delivers an enticing bouquet of floral notes, spice box, black cherry, and blueberry. Full-bodied, ripe, and sweetly-fruited on the palate, it manages to retain a sense of elegance. This lengthy blend has enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years but there is no reason to delay your gratification. It is also an excellent value.

Wine Advocate Rating: 90

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

Good full red-ruby. Complex, aromatic nose melds blueberry, plum, mocha, graphite and tobacco, complicated by mint, menthol and fresh herbs. Sweet on entry, then juicy, tight and fine-grained, with lively harmonious acidity giving the dense fruit a youthfully clenched quality. But with its fresh acidity and ripe tannic spine, this wine is sexy already.

Int'l Wine Cellar Rating: 90

[Issue: Jan/Feb 09]

Offers aromas of ripe plum and berry, with spice and sage. Though firm and full-bodied, this reveals a sense of elegance and finesse, ending with integrated tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2010 through 2016.

Wine Spectator Rating: 91

[Issue: Nov 15/09]

Focused, rich and ripe, showing aromas of black cherry and smoky pepper, with sleek but complex flavors of boysenberry, licorice and toasty oak that linger with balanced tannins. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Charbono and Grenache. Drink now through 2015.

Wine Spectator Rating: 92

[Issue: June 15/10]

A tremendous effort, dense and chewy, robust and concentrated, with a rich, focused core of blackberry, currant, cedar, herb and mineral. Full-bodied, gaining depth and persistence. Drink now through 2018.

Wine Spectator Rating: 94

[Issue: Web only 2010]

The 2007 Jubilo is a 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec aged for 12 months in 70% new French oak. A saturated purple color, the nose displays aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, espresso, black currant, and blackberry. Packed and stacked, this densely fruited effort is layered, spicy, and succulent. Give it 2-3 years of additional bottle age and drink it from 2011 to 2022.

Wine Advocate Rating: 93

[Issue: #184 / Aug 09]

Palazzo’s deep ruby/purple-tinged, full-bodied 2006 Proprietary Red Wine (68% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) reveals a sumptuous perfume of white chocolate, fruitcake, black cherries, black currants, and subtle toasty oak. Displaying a luscious texture, a broad, savory mid-palate, and gorgeous length, it should drink nicely for 10-15+ years. This serious, small, artisinal operation is owned by Scott Palazzo, who, along with his winemaker, Peter Franus, is turning out some complex, French-inspired offerings.

Wine Advocate Rating: 94

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

Includes 11% merlot and 2% each of cabernet franc and petit verdot. Bright ruby. Cherry and red berry aromas are complicated by dried rose, tobacco and fresh herbs. Juicy and intense, with gently sweet red and dark berry flavors and slow-mounting tannins. Becomes more floral with air and finishes with impressive clarity and spicy persistence. Eighty percent of the vines that provided this fruit are planted on steep hillsides, Ramey told me.

Int'l Wine Cellar Rating: 92

[Issue: May/June 09]

The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro rounds out Felsina’s lineup in this important vintage. A perfumed wine, it reveals layers of flavors that continue to open as the wine sits in the glass. Sweet tobacco, flowers, minerals, menthol, cherries and plums all flow from this structured, beautifully balanced expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from Chianti Classico. The big, building tannins suggest additional cellaring will be beneficial. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022.

Wine Advocate Rating: 91

[Issue: #177 / June 08]

The 2006 El Corazon de Jonata (called Todos) (39% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Sangiovese, and the rest Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Viognier) is a 1,000-case cuvee that will be bottled in a few months. Profound, sexy aromas of smoked duck, soy, blackberries, pepper, and a hint of spring flowers are followed by an exotic, full-bodied, voluptuously textured wine bursting with complexity and richness. A subtle smoky, meaty component is present in the deep, dark blackberry flavors. Long, rich, and pure, this stunning 2006 should drink beautifully for 10-15+ years.

Wine Advocate Rating: (95-97)

[Issue: #177 / June 08]

Garnet hue with a feathered rim. A minty bouquet of black fruit and clove. Thick and rich with sticky tannins and juicy black cherry and plum fruit. Crisp, spicy finish laden with drying minerals.

Wine News Rating: 93

[Issue: Winter 2010]

Pure creme de cassis intertwined with floral and licorice notes are present in the inky/purple-colored 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Rich, full-bodied, and meant for long-term aging, it should hit its peak in 7-8 years, and evolve for 25-30 years. These brilliant 2007s are some of the strongest efforts that have emerged from Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards over the last decade.

Wine Advocate Rating: (93-95+)

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder (86% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot) is one of the finest wines of the vintage. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by aromas of creme de cassis, licorice, forest floor, and floral undertones. The wine possesses layers of fruit in addition to full-bodied power, and plenty of well-integrated, velvety tannin. Drink this beauty over the next 10-15 years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 93

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Arise (75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a mossy, forest floor, Burgundian-like component, medium to full body, outstanding balance, purity, and texture, and some tannin that needs to be resolved. Again, 2-3 years of cellaring is recommended, but this beauty should age for two decades.

Wine Advocate Rating: 92

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

One for the cellar. It's vibrantly rich and forward in blackberries, black cherries, plums, dark chocolate and sweet smoky new oak, yet very tannic.

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 95

[Issue: 02/01/10]

The 2006 Firebelle Proprietary Red (1,800 cases) is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Malbec, aged 18 months on its lees. A beautiful nose of sweet black cherries, white chocolate, coffee beans, and subtle earthiness is followed by a full-bodied, powerful, moderately tannic wine that looks set for 10-15 years of aging. It is accessible already, with its terrific aromatics and plush, succulent style. It is also a fairly priced wine from one of the benchmark vineyards of Napa Valley.

Wine Advocate Rating: 91

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Xtant exhibits a sexy bouquet of chocolate, smoked herbs, black currants, and blackberries, full body, nicely integrated tannin, acidity, wood, and alcohol, and a seductive, long finish. It, too should drink beautifully for 10 or more years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 93

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

This is one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons one can buy at this price point, particularly given the Shangri-La prices of Napa. Deep ruby/purple with lots of red and black currants as well as hints of spring flowers and bay leaf, the wine is medium-bodied, with nothing out of place - acidity, wood, tannin, or alcohol. It is a supple, stylish wine that doesn't cheat the consumer on flavor or complexity.

Wine Advocate Rating: 91

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

The 4,400-case cuvee of 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (96% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc) is brilliant. It would probably be hard to find a Cabernet Sauvignon of this quality with this production level, all estate fruit, and such impeccable viticulture and winemaking. This wine reminded me of a great vintage of Pontet Canet in Pauillac, Bordeaux. The deep creme de cassis flavors intermixed with charcoal and lead pencil shavings soar from the glass. Its full body, stunning ripeness, sweet tannin, and substantial flavor authority make for a brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next two decades.

Wine Advocate Rating: 94

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

Includes 4% petit verdot, 3% cabernet franc and 2% malbec) Glass-staining ruby. Deep, youthfully brooding cassis and dark cherry on the nose, with a strong licorice note building in the glass. Sappy black and blue fruit flavors are framed by dusty tannins and energized by a tangy mineral note. The licorice quality repeats on the finish, which is broad, sappy and impressively persistent. For a big boy, this is pretty graceful.

Int'l Wine Cellar Rating: 93

[Issue: May/June 09]

Another new offering is the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint, which is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot aged in 50% new oak. It is meant to be a reasonably good value by the standards of Napa Valley Cabernet, and it fulfills that task admirably. The deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by notes of chocolate, black currants, earth, and spice. Medium to full-bodied and soft, it is ideal for drinking over the next decade.

Wine Advocate Rating: 90

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

45% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 14% syrah, 6% petit verdot and 5% cab franc. Good deep ruby-red. Deep, musky aromas of plum and roast coffee. Supple, sweet and smoky, with mellow notes of chocolate, mocha and roast coffee. Finishes with broad, sweet tannins and very good length.

Int'l Wine Cellar Rating: 91

[Issue: May/June 10]

The 2006 Caravina (96% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot) is also surprisingly soft for a wine from this vintage, with melted tannins and lots of scorched earth, blackberry, and cassis notes. With full body and a silky suppleness, it should drink well for a decade as well. As I said last year, there is a strong argument to be made that this is the most underrated great Cabernet Sauvignon produced in Napa Valley.

Wine Advocate Rating: 91

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

Deftly balanced, elegant and refined, this is focused on a ripe, juicy core of black cherry, plum and blackberry fruit. Ends with a long finish and fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2015.

Wine Spectator Rating: 93

[Issue: June 30/09]

Inky ruby. Sexy aromas of cherry pie and dark berry compote, with notes of incense, pipe tobacco and potpourri adding complexity. Pliant, deeply concentrated blackberry and cassis flavors are framed by gentle tannins and pick up exotic fruitcake and cinnamon notes with air. At once rich and energetic, with strong finishing sweetness and an echo of candied flowers.

Int'l Wine Cellar Rating: 91

[Issue: Nov/Dec 09]

The only 2006 I tasted is a re-evaluation of the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, which is performing better now than it did last year. A dense purple color in addition to plenty of creme de cassis, crushed rock, blueberry, and brioche-like notes are found in this full-bodied Cabernet. It avoids the rustic tannins of this vintage, and exhibits good sweetness and purity of fruit. Consume it over the next 15-20 years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 94

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

Well-built, with black currant, bacon, grilled herb, tobacco and fig flavors supported by a good firm structure underneath. Excellent length, with the fruit and spice delivering another wave on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

Wine Spectator Rating: 91

[Issue: April 30/07]

One of the top wines of the vintage, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color as well as a big, sweet, fragrant nose of acacia flowers, charcoal, black currant liqueur, licorice, and forest floor. Atypically opulent with sweet velvety tannins (especially for a 2006), it reveals impressive purity and texture as well as a full-bodied, rich finish. This knock-out wine can be drunk now or cellared for 20+ years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 93

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

The least expensive effort is the opaque purple-colored 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. A blockbuster, it offers up classic notes of charcoal, subtle smoke, black currants, black berries, lead pencil shavings, and earth. This deep, opulent, full-bodied Cabernet possesses terrific purity as well as length. It should drink well for 15+ years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 93

[Issue: # 186 / Dec 09]

A blend of Bordeaux varietals sourced primarily from vineyards farmed on Howell Mountain by David Abreu. This years wine also includes Merlot from Ariettas "N" Block on the Hudson Ranch in Napa/Carneros. The final blend is 68% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. The 2005 Arietta Claret is remarkable for its decadent aromas of black fruits, mingled with notes of forest floor, sage, graphite, and baked bread. On the palate the wine brightens to include flavors of cherry and other red fruits, and sweet citrus. The beautiful sheen of the wine masks its considerable grip and intensity which, along with an incredibly long fruit-driven finish, indicate a long evolution in bottle.

Wine News Rating: 94

[Issue: 03/01/08]

The 76% Cabernet Sauvignon is melded with 17% Merlot, 4% Carmenčre, and 3% Malbec, creating a stunningly dense, polished, tight wine. It’s light years away from the Leonetti’s of the 1980s—compact and loaded with black fruits, pepper, fresh herbs, rock, earth, toast and smoke. It’s so tight that it’s almost impossible to dissect. It needs time—a lot of time.

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 97

[Issue: 08/01/10]

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) possesses aromas of creme de cassis, white chocolate, espresso roast, dusty, loamy soil, and a full-bodied structure. With rich, powerful flavors that cascade over the palate as well as beautiful purity and depth, it will be even better with another 2-4 years of cellaring, and is capable of lasting 20-25 years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 94

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot, the wine is full-bodied, gamey, and earthy, displaying tremendous ripeness and stunning aromatics of underbrush, bay leaf, creme de cassis, mint, and almost a kitchen shelf of spices. Fragrant, full-bodied, with stunning concentration, admirable purity, and terrific ripeness and length, this is a rather remarkable effort in a tannic, muscular vintage such as 2006.

Wine Advocate Rating: 95

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

An outrageous wine is the 2006 Mernet Reserve, a 350-case blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a Spring Mountain version of the famed Bordeaux St.-Emilion, Cheval Blanc. Sweet, rich aromas of subtle menthol, roasted herbs, black currants, black cherries, licorice, and lavender emerge from this fragrant wine. It hits the palate with substantial flavors, but the overall impression is one of grace and elegance. A super rich, long, gorgeous example of Spring Mountain fruit, this 2006 is intense in flavor, but light on its feet. Enjoy it over the next 20+ years. Given this estate’s remarkable upswing in quality over the last 5-6 years, I can’t wait to taste the 2007s next year, which should be the high point of Michael Keenan’s wine career so far. However, there are plenty of Robert Keenan wines that consumers should be seeking out.

Wine Advocate Rating: 96

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals the vintage’s burly, masculine, and muscular side. The wine is stacked and packed with fruit, extract, tannin, and muscle, but possesses much less suppleness and complexity than the 2005 or the sweetness of the 2007. The 2006, with chocolate, scorched earth, blackberry, and espresso roast notes, is shut down and dense at present, but is impressive, although in a backward style. This wine needs to be forgotten for at least 5-6 years. It is a powerful wine, but don’t touch it before 2013, and drink it over the following three decades.

Wine Advocate Rating: 93+

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

The 2007s ratchet up things. Composed of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2007 Illustration reveals sweeter fruit, more opulence and flamboyance, and plenty of spice, wood smoke, black currant, plum, and licorice notes. Already drinking beautifully, this complex 2007 should continue to evolve and provide gracious, satisfying drinking for at least 12-15 years.

Wine Spectator Rating: 92

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

While it is eclipsed by the brilliance of the 2005, the 2006 Monte Bello (68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc) is a very strong effort. Its dense purple color is followed by copious aromas of creme de cassis, licorice, spice box, and a touch of oak. Well-balanced, dense, pure, layered, and rich, its big, rich style is similar to the 2003. This cuvee should keep for 25-30 years in a cool cellar.

Wine Advocate Rating: 94+

[Issue: #187 / Feb 10]

Big and rich, yet elegant and stylish, with ripe, vibrant blackberry, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's fresh and snappy, with firm, integrated tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2011. 994 cases made.

Wine Advocate Rating: 91

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

This sensational dense purple-colored effort boasts delicious blueberry, black raspberry, cassis, licorice, and olive-like notes. In the mouth, there is more creme de cassis as well as background toasty oak, structure, and tannin. I do not think there has ever been a vintage where Philip Togni has cheated anybody on flavor intensity or tannic structure as his wines always last, even in lighter vintages, for twenty or more years. The 2004 will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age, and should last for 25-30 years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 95

[Issue: #168 / Dec 06]

There are 7,000 cases of the prodigious 2006 Proprietary Red Wine (a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec). Most of the fruit comes from the Stagecoach Vineyard and the Waters Ranch. Sweet, smoky, meaty aromas interwoven with melted asphalt, camphor, blackberry, cassis, and charcoal scents emerge from the complex aromatics. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied, displaying sweet tannin, a concentrated mouthfeel, and a long, heady finish with substantial fruit, glycerin, and extract. It should drink beautifully for 20+ years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 95

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

The 2006 J. Daniel Cuvee is living up to my laudatory notes from last year. Black currant, crushed rock, licorice, asphalt, graphite, and chocolate characteristics are present in this full-bodied effort. With excellent purity, depth, and delineation, it should drink beautifully for 20+ years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 95

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

Pure, rich and concentrated, this bold, graceful wine offers a deep core of earthy currant, blackberry and plum, with hints of herb, mocha and black licorice, giving it uncommon complexity and depth. Ends with firm tannins and a long, persistent finish. Best from 2010 through 2017.

Wine Spectator Rating: 96

[Issue: Oct 15/09]

Sleek, rich, intense and beautifully balanced, with a complex mix of black currant and black cherry, plus red and black licorice. Firm, focused, expansive and layered, ending with classic Bordeaux- like cedar, tobacco and cigar box notes. Drink now through 2020.

Wine Spectator Rating: 96

[Issue: Insider June 16/10]

Firm, rich, intense and concentrated, with a layered mix of blackberry, currant, black licorice, spice, cedary oak and mineral notes. Full-bodied, well-structured and focused, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2020.

Wine Spectator Rating: 95

[Issue: Web only 2010]

The blockbuster 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is more primary, but it does display enormous fruit concentration, massive body, and wonderful purity, balance, and elegance. It is an extraordinarily promising 2007 with awesome fruit, depth and richness as well as a long finish. This offering will be even better with 5-7 years of bottle age, and should keep for 20+ years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 96

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

A 969-case blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot, this wine has sweet tannins, a big, rich kiss of blackberry and creme de cassis interwoven with subtle smoke, graphite, and loamy soil undertones. The wine has gorgeous purity, full-bodied flavors, elegance, and finesse. Like great cuisine, it offer tremendous intensity of flavor without any sense of heaviness or weight. Drink it over the next 20+ years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 94

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

Ramey-s sensational 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Petit Verdot. Notions of blueberry pie, charcoal, camphor, blackberry, cassis, and smoky oak are followed by a wine with sizeable tannins as well as structure. The extravagant fruit, richness, and intensity result in a remarkable, young Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Napa-s finest areas, the Oakville Corridor.

Wine Advocate Rating: 97+

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

The Cabernet Sauvignon from the Aida Vineyard is becoming one of the most exceptional northern Napa Valley Cabernets, with a production ranging between 600-700 cases. An exquisite wine in the making is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Vineyard. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, it exhibits an inky purple color in addition to a beautiful nose of graphite, creme de cassis, melted licorice, charcoal, and melted asphalt, terrific stuffing, silky tannins, a noble sweetness that comes from the purity and ripeness of the fruit, and a 45+ second finish. This fabulous Cabernet should drink well for 20-25 years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 97

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

The 2007 Les Pavots, a Bordeaux varietal blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, is brilliant. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by gorgeously complex aromas of melted chocolate, espresso roast, blackberries, and cassis. Full-bodied with a superb texture, a subtle note of oak, and fabulous concentration, it is more reminiscent of a Right Bank Bordeaux than one expects with this much Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A thirty-year wine, its impeccable balance and the sweetness of its tannins make it accessible already.

Wine Advocate Rating: 97

[Issue: #187 / Feb 10]

Along with David Abreu’s Howell Mountain Cabernet, the extraordinary 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Ark Vineyard may be the finest Cabernet Sauvignon I have tasted from that mountain. A dense purple color is accompanied by a liqueur of wet rocks and minerals intermixed with blueberry, black raspberry, and floral notes, a full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and extraordinary opulence and fleshiness. This offering may end up with a three-digit score if it keeps performing like this.

Wine Advocate Rating: (96-98+)

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

The flagship 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 3% Merlot. This multi-dimensional offering surrenders an inviting bouquet of sandalwood, Asian spices, violets, truffle, black currant, and blackberry. Seamless on the palate with no hard edges, it is mouth-coating, powerful, and exceptionally light on its feet all at the same time. Impeccably balanced and with plenty of fine-grained tannin in the background, it should effortlessly achieve its 30th birthday. The entire portfolio is a tour de force!

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 100

[Issue: #190 / Aug 10]