An impressive Cabernet, from a Yountville vineyard. Shows the ripe, pure blackberry, cherry and cedar flavors you’ll find in many Napa Cabs, but with welcome structure. The cool vintage and southerly location combine for brisk acidity and a fine tannin intricacy. Delicious now and through the decade.
— S.H.
(2/1/2012)
This shows the finesse of the vineyard, not to mention the winemaker’s talent. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s bone dry and brisk in acidity, with firm tannins that make it one for the cellar. It has a huge core of blackberry and black currant fruit that’s waiting to emerge. Try after 2018.
— S.H.
(3/1/2013)
This is a very Cabernet-like Petite Sirah. It’s full-bodied, dry and balanced, with moderate alcohol and not a huge amount of over-extracted fruit. Enriched with 50% new oak, it has rich flavors of cassis, cherries, cocoa and pepper, in a fleshy texture. Highly recommended.
— S.H.
(10/1/2008)
Very good price for a Cabernet this complex and smooth from Napa Valley. Offers lots of pleasure in the velvety texture and rich flavors of blackberries, cassis and mocha. A big improvement over the ’06 bottling. Give it a few hours of decanting.
— S.H.
(6/1/2011)
Harsh and tannic now, with a flood of primary fruit blackberries and dark chocolate washed with black pepper. Despite the scour, it’s a well-structured, bone-dry wine, with noble Napa tannins. And it is Petite Sirah. Give it at least four years in the cellar.
— S.H.
(12/1/2009)
A little sharp, with a sting throughout, but otherwise a fine, classic Cabernet brimming with flavor. Shows upfront blackberries, currants, chocolate-covered cherries, smoky vanilla and toast, wrapped into smooth, sturdy tannins. Could mellow and soften in the next several years.
— S.H.
(12/31/2009)
Rich and flavorful, this Cabernet has jammy flavors of cassis, cherries, milk chocolate, licorice and vanilla. The wine is almost sweet and very soft in structure, the kind of Cab that adheres to today’s cult parameters. Drink now through 2010.
— S.H.
(10/1/2008)
Shows Petite Sirah’s rustic, tannic nature, with a robust body housing flavors of berries, currants, carob powder, crisp bacon and sandalwood. With its sweet finish, it doesn’t seem like a longterm ager, but will mellow over the next several years.
— S.H.
(6/1/2011)