There are between 400-450 cases of the Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard 29 Estate, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee. The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard 29 Estate reveals extraordinary elegance for this vintage as well as a perfume of sweet black currants, dark cherries, and notions of chocolate, licorice, and smoke. Deep, textured, and beautifully balanced with no hard edges (an anomaly for a 2006), this full-bodied, seductive effort can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. Proprietor Chuck McMinn and his winemaker, Philippe Melka, continue to fashion one of Napa’s finest negociant blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, offering it at a reasonable price for a high end Napa Cabernet. The Aida Vineyard, situated between St. Helena and Calistoga, was a source of superb Zinfandel when the fruit was purchased by Larry Turley for Turley Wine Cellars. At Vineyard 29, they have continued to blend it with Petite Sirah, and age it in French oak. The most limited offering in this portfolio is the Sauvignon Blanc (100 or so cases produced). This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is aged for an unusually long time (16 months) in 100% new French oak. However, the oak is never noticeable in these cuvees as they are meant to replicate a fine white Bordeaux capable of aging. A wine I reviewed last year, the 2005, is still drinking fabulously well. Tel. (707) 963-9292; Fax (707) 963-7848

There are between 400-450 cases of the Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard 29 Estate, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee. The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard 29 Estate reveals extraordinary elegance for this vintage as well as a perfume of sweet black currants, dark cherries, and notions of chocolate, licorice, and smoke. Deep, textured, and beautifully balanced with no hard edges (an anomaly for a 2006), this full-bodied, seductive effort can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. Proprietor Chuck McMinn and his winemaker, Philippe Melka, continue to fashion one of Napa’s finest negociant blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, offering it at a reasonable price for a high end Napa Cabernet. The Aida Vineyard, situated between St. Helena and Calistoga, was a source of superb Zinfandel when the fruit was purchased by Larry Turley for Turley Wine Cellars. At Vineyard 29, they have continued to blend it with Petite Sirah, and age it in French oak. The most limited offering in this portfolio is the Sauvignon Blanc (100 or so cases produced). This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is aged for an unusually long time (16 months) in 100% new French oak. However, the oak is never noticeable in these cuvees as they are meant to replicate a fine white Bordeaux capable of aging. A wine I reviewed last year, the 2005, is still drinking fabulously well.Tel. (707) 963-9292; Fax (707) 963-7848