Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2007 Padrone reveals a gorgeous perfume of Chinese five spice, mincemeat pie, roasted nuts, tobacco and dried lavender with a core of warm black plums, blackcurrant cordial and warm black berries plus wafts of menthol and dried Provence herbs. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, the palate has matured into a wonderful array of tertiary flavors with loads of savory and exotic spice accents, framed by firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing with amazing persistence.

The 2007 Padrone Proprietary Red (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc) offers up gorgeous aromas of incense, creme de cassis, Asian spice and subtle background oak. Rich, concentrated and multidimensional, this may be the finest red wine I have ever tasted from Ray Signorello. It still has some tannins to resolve and the finish is 40-seconds long. Cellar it for 3-4 years and drink it over the following 20-25.

Lifted fragrance of cedar, spice, red apple, redcurrant, black cherry and exotic fruit. Full, round and powerful with stunning cocoa notes, textured, chalky tannins and great length and balance. Serious.

The grapes are from the winery’s estate vineyard. The wine is made in the modern style, which is soft, ripe and oaky. It’s quite delicious, showing ripe, lush blackberry and black currant fruit, as well as caramelized wood notes. Ready now–2015. ——S.H.(12/15/2010)—— 92