The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Christopher’s (named after Jess Jackson’s son) is currently all tannin and acid. It possesses a dense purple color, a powdered rock component and such a ferocious personality that I can’t begin to predict when it will fully come together ... if at all. Certainly it needs to be forgotten for ten years at the minimum and will definitely last 30-40 years. However, it could be like some of those old style Italian Brunellos that last for 40-50 years, but never become pleasurable to drink. Time will tell. All of these Stonestreet offerings were made under winemaker Mike Westrick. Before his death, Jess Jackson as well as his wife, Barbara Banke, agreed that there was often too much tannin and wood in the wines. Those mistakes have been corrected over the last five or six vintages under the guidance of South African winemaker, Graham Weerts.Tel. (800) 355-8008

I have watched this wine for some time and know that it is an ager, especially in a great vintage like this one. Made from very high Mayacamas Mountain grapes, it’s relentlessly tannic in its youth. But the core of black cherry and cassis is fabulous. Hold until 2010. ——S.H.(7/1/2005)—— 93