The 2007 Gun Metal Conner Lee Vineyard is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec also aged in French oak for 22 months. It is opaque purple-colored with a nose of toasty oak, mineral, espresso, Asian spices, violets, black cherry, and black currant. This leads to a medium to full-bodied wine with excellent volume, incipient complexity, plenty of ripe fruit, and enough structure to evolve for a minimum of 3-4 years. This burly effort will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2027. Guardian Cellars was launched n 2003 by Jerry Reiner, a full-time police officer, hence some of the names assigned to his wines. The winery officially opened in 2007 and current production stands at 1500 cases.www.guardiancellars.com

The fruit is ripe and the tannins firm; winemaker Jerry Reiner is able to craft very ripe fruit while keeping the varietal character of the Cabs—earth and herb, with a touch of stem. Deep and substantial, this should age well for a decade or more. ——P.G.(12/31/2010)—— 91