Made mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon with the addition of 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 L'Orage displays a deep ruby core with a magenta rim and offers a firm, dusty nose with spiced dark red fruit, blackberry compote and sweet cinnamon. Full-bodied, the fruit shows slightly riper on the palate than the nose leads on, with elements of dusty black cherry, cinnamon-spiced plums and dusty florals before firm tannins grip the gumline. The wine continues to evolve across the long, lingering finish, leaving behind flavors of bitter dark chocolate and blackberry skin. It’s a gorgeous wine that begs me back for another sip. 30,000 bottles were made after the wine rested for 28 months in 50% new French oak.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 L'Orage is ample and generous on the nose with aromas of fruit leather, sage, blueberry, roasted bell pepper and hints of black raspberry. Full-bodied, the wine has a generous profile with dried cranberries, baking spices and hints of fig. The wine concludes with a long, evolving finish that offers up spiced chocolate, dried currants and a cinnamon-spiced blackberry reduction. The wine rested for 30 months in French oak, 50% first fill. 30,000 bottles produced.

Beginning with a dense and chewy core of fruit, the 2016 L'Orage opens with a clean and dusty mineral focus with black and dark red fruit tones in the glass. Full-bodied, the wine turns slightly tart on the palate, showing energetic and lifting acidity across the bold and complex mid-palate. The wine ends with a tannic grip and flavors of blackberry and cherry skin and subtle baking spices on the long, lingering finish. This is a food-friendly wine, and it should age for more than a decade. With 2,200 cases made, you’ll want to add some of this to your cellar.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 L'Orage is rich, full-bodied and ripe, but behind the sweet blackberry fruit is an underlying vegetal streak reminiscent of green bananas that gives me pause. The finish, simultaneously confectionary and drying, also raises questions about the wine's ultimate balance.

Always Cabernet Sauvignon based, with a small amount of Cabernet Franc, from the same two blocks, the 2014 L'Orage from Sheridan Vineyard is a seriously good, hedonistic, pleasure bent beauty that does everything right. Cassis, leafy herbs, smoke tobacco, lead pencil shavings and incense notes all give way to a full-bodied, decadent, sexy red that has the concentration and depth to keep for 10-15 years. It tastes like a blend of Pontet Canet and Shafer Hillside Select.