A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the fruit for the 2019 The Bard fetches from Calistoga to Coombsville, including portions from illustrious vineyards such as Dr. Crane, Moonracer, Houyi and Larkmead. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose bursts with bold notions of blackcurrant pastilles, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries, plus suggestions of violets, star anise and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied palate is chock-full of bright, crunchy black and blue fruits, framed by very fine-grained tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing with lots of floral and exotic spice layers. This 2019 is particularly spectacular, drinking beautifully now and yet has the stuffing to cellar beautifully for 20 years+.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Petite Sirah, the 2018 The Bard comes from 12 different vineyard sources and is composed from 40 separate lots. Deep garnet-purple colored, it soars from the glass with notions of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and plum preserves, giving way to a a wave of clove oil, chocolate box, exotic spices and cracked black pepper. Full-bodied, rich and plush in the mouth, it has loads of spice-spiked black fruit layers, lifted by just enough freshness, going long and mineral-laced on the finish.

A blend of 21 different lots from 11 different vineyards, the 2017 The Bard is composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts out of the glass with blackcurrant cordial, warm plums, redcurrant jelly and chocolate-covered cherries notes, leading to a minty undercurrent with a waft of cinnamon. Medium to full-bodied, soft-textured and refreshing, it delivers a good core of black fruit on the palate, finishing wonderfully spicy.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot from 21 different lots from 11 different vineyards, the 2016 The Bard is very deep purple-black in color and sashays out of the glass with strikingly beautiful violets, warm cassis, star anise and chocolate mint notes with hints of wood smoke, tobacco and kirsch, with blackberry compote at the core. Full, muscular and built like a brick house with layer upon layer of black, blue and red fruits, it finishes very long and savory.