This is sharper and more rustic than most other expensive Rutherford Cabernets, with a cut of citrusy acidity that dominates the cherry and herb flavors. While it’s tough and hard to appreciate now, you never know if these aggressive young wines will develop with time. This one doesn’t seem like it will benefit, so drink up. — (10/1/2012) —85

This is a beautiful Cabernet that shows the gentle tannins and herbaceous edge of Rutherford Cabernets, but doesn’t stint on richness. It’s dry, smooth and appealing in black and red cherry, red currant, licorice, bacon and sandalwood flavors, and is complex enough to age for a decade. ——S.H.(12/15/2010)—— 92

A very fine Cabernet, blended with some Petit Verdot which seems to add body and perfume, but it’s quite young, and needs some time to resolve its issues. Right now the tannins, dusty as they are, dominate, and the blackberry and cherry flavors are all jam. Should develop healthily for 6–8 years.——S.H.(5/1/2010)—— 89

Considerably more tannic than most Rutherford Cabs, especially a non-mountain one, Riboli’s ’06 displays ripe flavors of cherries, blackberries, currants and mint. It doesn’t seem to have the stuffing for aging, so drink now with rich steaks that can break through the astringency.——S.H.(10/1/2009)—— 87

With its black pepper aromas and dry, hard tannins that make the mouth pucker, this is an atypical Rutherford Cabernet. But it’s a very good, even a noble one. As tough as it is, it possesses a rich core of black currant that lasts through a long finish. Unusual and distinctive, it should hold its own for a decade.——S.H.(9/1/2008)—— 91