The 2009 Padrone is deep garnet in color and pow—it gives an impactful, profound nose of maturing Black Forest cake, blackcurrant jelly and blueberry preserves scents plus hints of cigar box, incense, dried figs and garrigue with a waft of Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers bags of evolved fruit and savory layers with a cedary undercurrent and a chewy texture, finishing long with an herbal lift.

Muscular, with a spicy beef bouillon edge to the dried currant and savory herb flavors. Ends with dry, earth-laced, grainy tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2020. 125 cases made. –JL

Vanilla, toast, coffee bean and sweet jammy, black and blue fruit notes open to a soft, polished, ripe,forward wine with a bit of dryness to the tannins in the finis

The 2009 Padrone (Cabernet Sauvignon) is a silky, perfumed wine graced with exquisite delineation in its aromas and flavors. All of the elements flow gracefully from this elegant, polished Cabernet. Floral notes add lift and brightness to the finish. There is just a little mid-palate presence missing here. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. This is a strong set of wines from Signorello. Pierre Birebent is the winemaker. Luc Morlet consults on the wines as of 2010. I also tasted the 2008 reds for reference, and quality is definitely on the rise since those wines were made. Padrone is a selection of the estate’s best barrels, but the best barrels don’t always equate to a significantly better wine, especially when one takes into account the difference in price.

“Massive chocolate, blackberry, blueberry and cherry jam intensity, this is a brilliant wine. It’s so delicious that you’ll want to drink the whole bottle. Give it some decanting, and then watch as it changes in the glass with every sip.Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021.”