Tasted from magnum. A curious mix. It's complex and supple, yet marked by a slight cheesy-yeasty flavor up front. It works its way into dry, mature-tasting currant, cedar and anise flavors, and the tannins are dry and gritty on the finish.--'81/'91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2007. -JL

(13.5% abv; 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot) Deep ruby-purple. Nose intense, cassis, smoke, slightly animal, dense. Silky palate, with bright, fresh fruit, ripe but not warm. Delicious black fruit sweetness, quite concentrated. Acidity lowish, but balanced, tannins very smooth. Perfectly mature, but there is no hurry to drink this. Long, spicy finish. Black pepper, cassis, confit character. Excellent.