A bit more direct than the ’05, which must be due to the so-so vintage. The wine is soft and immediately appealing for its red berry pie filling, red currant, baking spice, green olive tapenade and oak flavors. Should develop for years in the bottle, without necessarily gaining additional complexity. ——S.H.(12/1/2010)—— 87

A lovely Cabernet, held back for a couple years, and the wine has mellowed to supple perfection. With soft tannins and an herbal quality, the wine brims with black cherries, currants, sage and cedar. Should evolve slowly over the next 6–8 years.——S.H.(12/15/2009)—— 92

A very good wine, although a very young one that needs time. It’s not because the tannins are hard, because they’re not. But the primary blackberry and cherry flavors haven’t married with the oak, despite the wine being more than three years of age. The grapes come from a tenderloin of the appellation that’s known for quality. Best after 2009.——S.H.(7/1/2009)—— 91