This is an outstanding wine. It possesses a dense ruby/purple color, followed by a promising nose of cassis intertwined with earth, flowers, and spice. In the mouth, there is good grip and tannin, but the overall impression is one of a medium to full-bodied wine where the fruit characteristics dominate the terroir and oak. Subtle vanillin and spice are present in this pure, black currant-flavored, long, impressive wine. Accessible now, it promises to get even better over the next decade, and last for 15+ years.Tel. (707) 942-0930

Delicious Cabernet. Ripe, plummy, with complex cedar, black cherry, spice and herbal menthol notes, it zooms along the palate and shows remarkable texture and suppleness on the finish. Has firm, polished tannins. Best from 2002 through 2011. 1,500 cases made. -JL