From a valley floor vineyard, the opaque purple-hued 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon John C. Sullenger Vineyard offers up restrained aromas of subtle smoke, graphite and black fruits. More narrowly constructed and tannic, it is among the most backward wines in this portfolio, possessing a Bordeaux-like structure and flavor profile. It requires 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for 20-25 years. An impressive group of 2007 Cabernet Sauvignons from the Gil Nickel family represents an Oakville terroir lesson with the exception of the State Ranch which comes from a vineyard further south in Yountville.Tel. (707) 967-9600

The dense purple-colored 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon John C. Sullinger Vineyard (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) comes from an Oakville vineyard planted in clay and loamy soils. It reveals more of an Oakville/Pauillac-like character of cedar, spice box, licorice, black cherries, black currants, and camphor. While it is the most complex aromatically, the wine is still 4-5 years away from resolving some of its tannins. It is a big, full-bodied, powerful, impressive effort that should drink well for 20+ years. All four of these single vineyard offerings from Nickel and Nickel are in need of 4-6 years of bottle age, and appear to be long distance runners.Tel. (707) 967-9600