A lovely Cabernet, held back for a couple years, and the wine has mellowed to supple perfection. With soft tannins and an herbal quality, the wine brims with black cherries, currants, sage and cedar. Should evolve slowly over the next 6–8 years.
— S.H.
(12/15/2009)
This is a beautiful Cabernet and at forty bucks, a relative bargain given the price that great Napa Cab has hit. Dry and complex, it shows wonderful tannic structure, and the smoky oak is subtle, allowing the black and red currant and plum flavors to star. Lovely now, and should develop through 2012.
— S.H.
(12/31/2008)
The wine comes from the estate vineyard, in the northeast corner of the appellation near Robert Young, whose Cabs and Bordeaux blends are no slouches. This wine shows meticulous attention to detail, in both growing and winemaking. Drily tannic, it has delicious blackberry, currant, herb, Chinese tea and cedar flavors, and possesses the balance to age for a decade.
— S.H.
(7/1/2008)
This is a good, rich, complex Cab, but it’s also toughly tannic, and needs time in the cellar to come around. Beneath the astringency are ripe flavors of blackberries, cherries and sweet fresh herbs. Give it until 2011, if you can.
— S.H.
(4/1/2009)
A very good wine, although a very young one that needs time. It’s not because the tannins are hard, because they’re not. But the primary blackberry and cherry flavors haven’t married with the oak, despite the wine being more than three years of age. The grapes come from a tenderloin of the appellation that’s known for quality. Best after 2009.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
Very young now and a bit rude, with upfront primary fruit flavors of cherries, black raspberries and new oak. Needs time for all the parts to knit together. Cellar through 2009, at least, and should hold for a while afterward.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
A very nice Merlot, supple and polished, with slightly earthy flavors of cherries, herbs and cedar. The tannins are soft and sweet. Drink now–2011.
— S.H.
(12/15/2009)
A very nice, fairly rich Chardonnay, showing tropical fruit, pear, nectarine, citrus and mineral flavors. The acidity is racy, giving the wine a crisp, bright mouthfeel.
— S.H.
(7/1/2008)