What a beautiful opening aroma. Cedar, cigar box, and pure smoky oak mingle with ripe cassis and black currants, and an earthy mix of green olives and grilled meat. Drinking ripely sweet in fruit, with beautiful tannins, this smooth Cab drinks well now and should hold through 2015.
— S.H.
(11/15/2005)
This may well be the most expensive Cabernet Franc in California, although it is blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, presumably to give a little more punch to a variety that can be one-dimensional on its own. The result is undeniably fine and delicious. It’s very smooth in the mouth, with soft tannins, and wonderfully complex cherry and herb flavors that have a…
— S.H.
(12/31/2011)
A bit over the top in flavors of pie fillng, black raspberry and cherry. The tannins are lovely, dense and ripe, and the acidity is just right. This is quite opulent.
— S.H.
(8/1/2012)
Shows true Cabernet character in the dry, smooth tannins, rich, full-bodied mouthfeel and harmonious flavors of black currants, coffee and oak. It all comes together to make a polished, soft wine. Drink now through 2008.
— S.H.
(12/15/2005)
Ripe, dry and immature, this 100% Cab comes from a vineyard in the Vaca Mountains east of the Silverado Trail. It’s quite tight and tannic now, but shows a rich heart of blue and black stone fruits and berries. Seems to have the balance to age, and should improve after 2008.
— S.H.
(4/1/2007)
Very fruit-driven, this dry Cab has jammy cherry, blackberry and currant flavors, with a rich edge of cedar and cocoa. It’s a bit immature now and should develop bottle complexities over the next 6–8 years.
— S.H.
(12/1/2008)
The only field-blended wine to actually call itself a field blend consists of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignan. It’s very dry and bold in tannins, a rather earthy wine with a deep core of fruit. Should age effortlessly for decades.
— S.H.
(3/1/2005)
The blend is Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane on this enjoyable mélange. It could be anything, but is awfully good, with its rich, ripe tannins and smooth flavors of berries, cherries and coffee. Drink whenever you need something dry and full bodied.
— S.H.
(12/15/2005)