The proprietary red wine, the 2008 Onyx, a blend of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 22% Tannat, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot, has a rather subdued aroma, a distinct earthy blue and red fruit nose, very good but more angular flavors, with the tannin pushing through more than in the other wines. It is an elegant wine built more on a Bordeaux structural profile than what one normally finds in the Napa Valley. Give it a year or two of bottle age and drink it over the following 12 years. Barrel samples of the 2009 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon and 2009 Fortis Cabernet Sauvignon all showed forward fruit, deep color, charming tannins, and perhaps less weight than the 2008s or 2007s, but lots of style and elegance. They will be drinkable early on and I am sure will put on additional weight during their upbringing in barrel. Tel. (800) 575-9777; Fax (707) 253-1493

The 2006 Onyx, a blend of Malbec, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc is green, lean, and narrowly constructed. While it will last for years, it will never be charming. Tel. (800) 575-9777; Fax (707) 253-1493

A melange of such grapes as Tannat, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon make up the 2004 Onyx Proprietary Red Wine. Its dark ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas and flavors of black fruits, chocolate, licorice, and graphite. Although it does not possess the elegance found in the previous Cabernets, it possesses good chunkiness as well as fruit density. Medium-bodied and well-made, but not as complex as its siblings, it should drink well for a decade. Tel. (800) 575-9777; Fax (707) 253-1493