From a small vineyard in St. Helena comes this ripe young wine, a Cab Franc-based Bordeaux blend. It’s soft and forward, with cherry, red currant, licorice, chocolate and cedar flavors that show Napa tannins at their smooth, ripe best. It’s a little tight now, so give it a few years.
— S.H.
(6/1/2008)
This is a wine that needed serious aeration. Although it started out mute and closed, it opened up to reveal polished cedar. mocha and black currant flavors, wrapped into creamy smooth tannins. A lovely young wine, it’s good now, with decanting, but also should age for eight to 10 years.
— S.H.
(5/1/2007)
The flavors of cherries, red currants, vanilla, licorice and smoky oak combine in this intense, California-style wine. It’s a showy red, smooth and elegantly constructed. Drink now and through 2009.
— S.H.
(6/1/2008)
Despite nearly 16% alcohol, this wine manages not to taste hot. The fruit is so powerful, and the tannins so smooth, that it gives a balanced and harmonious mouthfeel. The flavors are a peacock’s tail of pure red cherries, red currants and licorice, with a sweet finish of cassis. Should remain enjoyable through 2010.
— S.H.
(5/1/2008)