The finest 2005 is the Ame (which means “soul” in French), a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee fashioned from a parcel of the estate vineyard in Napa’s Conn Valley. Perhaps because of that, it possesses more minerality along with licorice, black currant, and cedar wood notes. Dense, full-bodied, rich, and impressively endowed, with good acidity, tannin, and extract, this 600-case offering will be at its best between 2009-2018. It was good to see longtime wine enthusiast, national sales rep for Kermit Lynch Importers, vineyard owner, and wine producer, Bruce Neyers, who has one of the most important palates on the West Coast. Neyers, who utilizes the services of Ehren Jordan of Turley Wine Cellars as his winemaker, has consistently turned out beautiful Chardonnays as well as fine Merlots, Zinfandels, and Syrahs. 2005 appears to be a fabulous vintage for Chardonnay as most exhibit intense aromatics, super purity of fruit, and surprising freshness for wines of such density and power.Tel. (707) 963-9940; Fax (707) 963-8894