This is a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend with 18% Syrah, which seems to be a growing trend in California. It’s a new entry into the cult sweepstakes. The wine is dry and rich in black currants, violets, sandalwood and sweet fresh herbs. It’s very fine right now, although the finely ground tannins should hold it through at least 2012. Just 192 cases were produced.
— S.H.
(11/1/2009)
Fruit and oak combine in this young, sensuous wine to make for immediate drinkability, but it’s ageable. Floods the mouth with ripe, forward flavors of blackberry pie with the smoky-sweet crust, and there are notes of cola, black currant liqueur and Indian spices. This is a very fine, elegant Cabernet, with superfine tannins. It should age well throughout the decade.
— S.H.
(7/1/2010)
The blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grape sourcing is pedigreed, from Stagecoach Vineyard on Atlas Peak and the adjacent Pritchard Hill. The wine is dry and very tannic, yet strangely sweet. The cherry and raspberry flavors have a pie-filling richness, but also an acidic tug. New oak shows up in the form…
— S.H.
(11/1/2011)
A big, sweet, soft Napa Cab, made in the modern style. It means to dazzle with blackberry and blueberry jam, sweet new oak and chocolate flavors, and does. Too soft for aging, but delicious now.
— S.H.
(11/1/2011)
Rich and crowd pleasing, this has flashy blackberry, black currant and spice flavors. It’s textbook Napa Cabernet, if a little upfront in its appeal.
— S.H.
(10/1/2012)
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with some other classic Bordeaux varieties and a splash of Syrah, this is a sweet, chocolaty wine, with a blackberry note and a crème de cassis headiness. Drink now.
— S.H.
(10/1/2012)