Super California Tasting at Wine Watch

I drink when I have occasion, and sometimes when I have no occasion.

MIGUEL DE CERVANTES, Don Quixote

We will have our second one Day Sunday Sale today and I will be in the store from 12 till 5pm.  Check out the list of wines that come out on yesterday’s email or stop by the store today before 5 to see what KILLER deals we have today.

This Super California tasting is our warm up tasting to the California Cult tasting coming up later in the month of and although the will be no eagle sightings tonight there will be some other top level California wines from the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's.  However there are only 2 seats available for this tasting event here at the store next Friday night so if you want to come you better hit the respond button quickly!!

We are doing valuable scientific work here at the Wine Watch and need to know how these old California wines are doing so if you can't get a reservation for this one keep an eye out to see the WIDY part of the e-mail to see how these old dogs were showing.  We have the Hollywood Wine Society’s Heitz Martha’s Vineyard vertical tasting back to 1969 in our WIDY part of the e-mail today after all of the wines that are available in the store from this line-up of Super California wines we are showing this evening.

Super California Tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, September 25th
7:30pm

The Seventies - A decade of experimentation

1971 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 

1973 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon

1977 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon

1979 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection

The eighties - A new era in California Winemaking

1982 Opus One Napa

(86 Points) Several bottles tasted previously had been lean, compact, and appeared to be in danger of losing their fruit. This bottle reveals a healthy deep ruby color, and an attractive light intensity nose of herbs and black-cherry fruit nicely complemented by subtle new oak. In the mouth, this is an elegant, medium-bodied wine with good structure, fine concentration, and an overall sense of balance and finesse. While there is a slight greenness to the tannic finish, this wine performed well after several disappointing tastings. Wine Advocate #84, Dec 1992

1984 Ridge Montebello Santa Cruz Mountains

(95 Points) This blockbuster Cabernet Sauvignon remains closed, with more promise than current appeal. The saturated purple color displays no amber or signs of evolution at the edge. The nose reluctantly offers up pure aromas of black fruits, minerals, and licorice. Extremely full-bodied, with layers of rich, glycerin-dominated, sweet, jammy fruit buttressed by zesty acidity and abundant tannin, this large-scaled, surprisingly well-proportioned and balanced Cabernet Sauvignon requires another 5-8 years of cellaring. It is a candidate for 20-30+ years of longevity. So what's new?  Wine Advocate #94, Aug 1994

1985 Opus One Napa

(88 Points) The 1985 Opus One has consistently performed between 88-90 points. It exhibits a healthy dark ruby color with no signs of age. The nose has not budged much from when it was first bottled. The delicate yet attractive fragrance of vanilla, herbs, cassis, and spices is followed by a sculptured, fruity, medium to full-bodied wine with crisp acidity, moderate tannin, and good depth. While very good, possibly excellent, it lacks the extra dimension of flavor and personality necessary to merit an outstanding rating. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. It seems to me that vintages since 1990 have been markedly superior. Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

1985 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(93 Points) Although I have been disappointed with some earlier Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignons, that cannot be said about this extraordinary effort. Still youthful, backward, and immensely promising, this rich, powerful, concentrated wine displays sensational extract, admirable purity, layers of ripe black-cherry and cassis fruit, fine integrated acidity for focus, and sweet, ripe, tannin in a lengthy finish. Unevolved and young, it is capable of 15 more years of cellaring. I have always felt this was one of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons Spottswoode ever made, and this tasting confirmed those thoughts. California's answer to Chateau Margaux? Drink it between 1998-2015. Wow! Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

The Nineties are here and 100 point scores galore!!

1997 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 

(99 Points) Since 1991, Shafer's Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon has unquestionably been one of the top dozen or so California Cabernets. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 32 months in 100% French oak casks (the majority Taransaud), it possesses the elegance and finesse one would expect from the Stags Leap area, but also monumental power, richness, and intensity.

Is the prodigious 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select a perfect wine? Bottled in June, 2000, this effort is about as spectacular as Cabernet Sauvignon can be. The soaring bouquet of sweet, lavishly rich black currants, plums, cherries, toast, minerals, and smoke cascades from the glass. Opaque purple-colored, extraordinarily intense, and full-bodied, yet amazingly well-balanced, this flawless Cabernet Sauvignon will be at its peak between now and 2030. One of the greatest young Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever tasted, it represents the quintessential Napa Cabernet, combining both elegance and power. Wine Advocate #132, Dec 2000

1997 Dominus Proprietary Red Napa

(94 Points) The 1997 Dominus, a blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 4.5% Merlot, is showing fabulously well. With 14.1% alcohol and a pH that would make many New World oenologists shudder (about 3.95), this wine is a fleshy, silky-textured, opulent wine with a gorgeous nose of roasted herbs, coffee, jammy black cherry and plum-like fruit.

Asian spice, licorice, and blackberry and cherry notes with tobacco spice all add to this complex, very involved, yet gorgeously symmetrical Dominus. The wine is medium to full-bodied, very concentrated, and silky-textured. It is gorgeous to drink now, but should age easily for 10-15 years. Wine Advocate #132, Dec 2000

1997 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(92 Points) The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, is a beauty. The healthy ruby/purple color is followed by classic, unevolved but promising aromas of minerals, cedar, smoke, and black currants. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with admirable purity, a sweet, lush mid-palate, and ripe tannin in the finish. The top-notch 1997 is a classic, restrained. Anticipated maturity: now-2020. Wine Advocate #132, Dec 2000

1997 Phelps Insignia Napa

(100 Points) An inky/plum/purple color is accompanied by a stunning bouquet of violets, charcoal, creme de cassis and a hint of toast. Prodigious when it hits the palate with a full-bodied expansiveness, there is not a hard edge to be found in the 1997, only velvety tannins, compelling depth and fruit intensity, and stunning purity. It is a perfect expression of Napa viticulture and wine that should continue to age effortlessly for two decades or more.

An ideal warm, dry spring, June and July was followed by a surprisingly cool August that slowed down what looked to be rapid sugar accumulation in the grapes. September's temperatures were average to above average, without any potentially damaging heat spikes. This allowed the harvest to unfurl slowly, with no stress or imminent danger. For many Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, this resulted in one of the top vintages of the nineties. Consumers, observers and wine critics will undoubtedly argue for decades over which vintage of the nineties turned out to be the finest – 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 or 1997. The 1997 Insignia is a 20,000-case blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, with 60% coming from estate vineyards and 40% from growers. The alcohol came in at 13.8%. eRobertParker.com #1113 Nov 2013

Menu

Selection of Cheese:  Parmesan Reggiano, Beemster Gouda

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Harpke Farms heirloom Tomato with fresh mozzarella short stack with sundried tomato basil vinaigrette

Duck Confit with currant berry and Cabernet Sauvignon natural sauce served with Onion confit souffle

This tasting is $295 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Some of the wines from these producers that we have in the store.

2011 Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains
Price: $180.00    Sale $158.40
Quantity in Stock: 1

In 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Monte Bello estate vineyard was planted, and the winery constructed. A first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; by the 1940s it was effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962). Since then, the original vineyards have gradually been replanted. A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc at only 12.8% alcohol this wine is very old world in style and has a bit of funk, 99% new, air-dried American oak, earthy notes on the nose with an array of dark plum and currant berry fruit, light smoke and dried meats, fresh plowed earth, sage, rosemary and bitter coco notes, minty even more complex on the next day. Wow this wine is massive on the palate but still has elegance and finesse with chunky black currant and plum like fruit, layers of dark earth and espresso notes and a firm hand of acidity holding things firmly in place, a massive wine that has a good amount of layers on the finish. Finish 50+ Most Excellent

2010 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Magnum
Price: $477.00    Sale $381.60
Quantity in Stock: 2

(93-95 Points) The 2010 Insignia is striking. Cool, mineral notes frame a core of blue and black fruit, licorice, spices, smoke, and melted road tar as this stunning wine opens up in the glass. Totally alive in the glass, the 2010 captures the essence of this cold, late harvest. Hints of menthol, violets and crushed rocks all flow through to the incisive, vibrant finish. My sense is that the 2010 is still holding back much of its significant potential. The 2010 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030. Winemaker Ashley Hepworth has done a fabulous job with these new releases. While most of the attention at Phelps centers around the flagships Insignia and Backus, over the last few years I have been equally impressed with the straight Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that delivers tremendous bang for the buck. In addition to these wines, I also tasted a few Syrahs from the 1970s. Today, Phelps is known for their Cabernet Sauvignons, but it is also worth remembering Joe Phelps was the first grower to introduce Syrah to the Napa Valley several decades ago.  Wine Advocate #204, Dec 2012

2004 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa
Price: $218.00    Sale $191.84
Quantity in Stock: 4

Robert Parker JR.'s The Wine Advocate (94-96 Points). The soft, opulent 2004 Insignia (a 10,000-case blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec) is already seductive and lush. Offering abundant quantities of cassis, incense, graphite, plums, blackberries, and black currants, it will be hard to resist young, but should age effortlessly for two decades or more. Wine Advocate #168 (Dec 2006)

2003 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa MAGNUM
Price: $482.00    Sale Price: $385.00
Quantity in Stock: 4

(94 points) The 2003 Insignia (15,000 cases) performed much better this year than last, when I tasted it right after bottling. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and the rest Malbec and Merlot, it offers up attractive aromas of licorice, black currants, espresso roast, and background toasty oak. Full-bodied, opulent, and rich with outstanding depth, purity, and harmony, sweet tannin, and a long finish, it is approachable now, but will easily last for 20 years. Wine Advocate #168 Dec 2006

2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa (Magnum)
Price: $788.00   Sale $630.00
Quantity in Stock: 1

2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa (375ml)
Price: $199.00   Sale $160.00
Quantity in Stock: 1

2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa
Price: $322.00    Sale $283.36
Quantity in Stock: 1

(100 points)   The 2002 boasts an inky/purple color along with notes of graphite, violets, blackberries, creme de cassis and hints of charcoal and barbecue in addition to a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel that builds incrementally with great purity, staggering fruit concentration, and a long, velvety, 50+-second finish. This prodigious effort should continue to drink well for 20+ years.  eRobertParker.com #1113, Nov 2013

1999 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa MAGNUM
Price: $375.00    Sale Price: $300.00
Quantity in Stock: 1

(91 points) There are 15,000 cases of the 1999 Insignia, a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec. The core of this offering tends to come from Rutherford-grown fruit. The saturated dense purple-colored 1999 offers a tight but promising nose of incense, spice box, black fruits, and vanilla. This elegant, stylish, and medium to full-bodied offering is made in a more French-like, finesse style than such blockbusters as 1997, 1996, 1995, and 1994. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and consume it over the following 15-18. Wine Advocate #142 Aug 2002

1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa
Price: $280.00    Sale $246.40
Quantity in Stock: 3

(98 points)  The 1994 boasts an inky/purple color along with a glorious nose of black raspberries, blackberries and black currants that is still somewhat primary despite nearly 18 years in bottle. The Phelps team kept this cuvee in 100% new French oak for 28 months. Its magnificent structure, intensity and purity of fruit, ripeness, balance combined with authoritative power and the magnetic appeal of this full-bodied, Bordeaux-styled wine are extraordinary. This amazing effort is just coming into its best years, and should drink well for at least another 15-20 years. eRobertParker.com #1113 Nov 2013

1999 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $162.00    Sale Price: $129.00
Quantity in Stock: 1

Overture by Opus One Napa
Price: $125.00    Sale $110.00
Quantity in Stock: 14

Overture is the second wine of Opus One, it is made from lots not used in the final Opus blend. It is a non-vintage wine, softer and rounder upon release. Overture will be available for both on and off premise accounts.

2011 Opus One Napa
Price: $251.25    Sale $221.10
Quantity in Stock: 38

Expressing aromas of bright red fruits and fresh bay leaf; this vintage delivers flavors of fresh cherry with a touch of dark chocolate. This polished and age-worthy wine simultaneously offers a satiny finish and a slight grip of tannin at the close.

In 2011, unseasonably late rainfall occurred during flowering in June and disrupted fruit set. The variable rain and low temperatures reduced the number and size of berries on each cluster and increased concentration of the fruit. Harvest began on September 22nd and ended on October 25th.

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 11%, Petit Verdot 9%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Malbec 1%

2009 Opus One Napa MAGNUM
Price: $802.50    Sale $706.20
Quantity in Stock: 1

(92 points) This bold, rich and assertive Opus is firm and concentrated, displaying a mix of dried currant, blackberry, wild berry and spice flavors, ending with loamy earth and melted black licorice notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. Best from 2014 through 2025. 22,500 cases made. –JL Issue: Oct 31, 2012

1990 Opus One Napa
Price: $250.00    Sale $220
Quantity in Stock: 2

(93 points) This is a terrific Opus, with a broader, deeper palate and less of the overly-sculptured, structured feel that past examples have revealed. The 1990 exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, and a spicy, rich, sweet nose of cassis, vanillin, lead pencil, herbs, and minerals. Medium to full-bodied, with low acidity, sweet tannin, and wonderful layers of ripe, pure, rich fruit, the wine is in complete harmony, without being excessively acidified or brutally tannic. This is a gorgeous Opus for drinking over the next 16-18 years. My instincts suggest it is the most promising Opus One made to date. Wine Advocate #89 Oct 1993

1991 Opus One Napa (3 liter)
Price: $1199.00    Sale $1055.12
Quantity in Stock: 1

1991 Opus One Napa
Price: $325.00    Sale $286
Quantity in Stock: 1

(92 Points) Tasted twice Deep garnet brick. Complex notes of meat, game, dried plum, black olive and dried Mediterranean herbs with a whiff of brett influence giving notes of sweaty saddles and a distinctive medicinal / band-aid character. The palate is nicely structured with a medium level of finely grained tannins and a crisp backbone of acidity fleshed out by an ample concentration of evolved fruit flavours. Long finish. Drink now to 2014. Tasted April 2009.

1987 Opus One Napa (high shoulder)
Price: $225.00    Sale $198
Quantity in Stock: 3

(93 points) Deep garnet-brick. Mature Cabernet notes of warm cassis, dried herbs, mushrooms, black pepper and sweaty saddles. The medium to full bodied palate provides plenty of gamey, dried berry fruit with a medium level of silky tannins and medium to high acidity. Great balance. Long finish. Drink now to 2013. Tasted April 2009. Wine Advocate In Asia Jul 2009

1986 Opus One Napa (mid shoulder)(stained label)
Price: $169.00    Sale $148.72
Quantity in Stock: 8

1985 Opus One Napa (mid shoulder)
Price: $189.00    Sale $166.32
Quantity in Stock: 4

1983 Opus One Napa (mid shoulder)
Price: $189.00    Sale $166.32
Quantity in Stock: 9

1980 Opus One Napa (high shoulder)
Price: $199.00    Sale $175.12
Quantity in Stock: 2

2001 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $143.00    Sale $125.84
Quantity in Stock: 1

2003 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District
Price: $349.00    Sale $307.12
Quantity in Stock: 1

(95 points)  The 2003 is a singular style of wine, but by no means wimpy or undernourished. The 2003 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select has a dense, purple color, notes of creosote, graphite, blackberry and cassis fruit, charcoal and scorched earth. It has a full-bodied mouthfeel and excellent purity, while some rather noticeable tannins kick in on the finish. This wine seems to be moving from adolescence to that early mature stage, where I would expect it to hold for at least another 10-15 or more years. Clearly not one of the superstars in what was a rather astonishing qualitative lineup, but it’s outrageously good Cabernet Sauvignon, and I expect myself, as well as any of my readers, would drink this 24/7.  eRobertParker.com #216, Dec 2014

2001 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select Napa
Price: $595.00    Sale Price: $495.00
Quantity in Stock: 1

(100 Points)  I should not be surprised that the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select merited a perfect rating since I rated it 99 eight years ago. I also gave the 2002 Hillside Select a perfect rating. Kudos to Doug and John Shafer for creating two perfect wines in back to back vintages. The 2001 is a big wine (14.9% natural alcohol), but the alcohol is buried beneath an avalanche of creme de cassis, wood smoke, toast, licorice and spring flower characteristics. Super full-bodied with fabulous fruit purity, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, lots of glycerin and a huge upside, this 2001 is still an infant at age ten, but it is approachable as well as compelling to smell and taste. It has at least another three decades of aging potential ahead of it and is one of the great young, legendary classics from Napa Valley. It was a privilege to taste. There are approximately 2,000 cases of this cuvee which comes from Shafer’s hillside vineyards in the Stags Leap area and is aged 32 months in 100% new French oak.  Wine Advocate #195Jun 2011

1999 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Stag's Leap
Price: $299.00    Sale $
Quantity in Stock: 5

(97 points) The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is one of the finest wines of the vintage. The 14.9% alcohol is barely noticeable given the amazing concentration and intensity. A saturated opaque purple color is followed by scents of vanilla, blackberry liqueur, crushed minerals, and a hint of white flowers. There is stunning intensity, tremendous purity, full body, and a remarkable, seamless finish (amazing given the elevated, austere tannin). Give the 1999 another 2-3 years of cellaring, and enjoy it over the following two decades or longer. A brilliant effort! There are 2,000 cases of this offering, which is aged for 32 months in 100% new French oak prior to bottling. It is head and shoulders above any other Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap appellation, combining an extraordinary elegance, delineation, and purity with a tremendously layered, thick opulence that coats the palate with exceptional purity as well as precision. Even in vintages such as 1998, this is a formidable offering. Wine Advocate #150 Dec 2003

1994 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Stag's Leap
Price: $437.50    Sale $
Quantity in Stock: 1

(99 points) The current release, the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, is a prodigious Cabernet. I had it at a tasting in Japan, and the Japanese were as enthusiastic about it as my rating suggested they should be. They were crestfallen when informed they probably would not be able to buy multiple cases of the wine! The 1994 combines the vintage's spectacularly ripe, luscious fruit with a rarely seen degree of elegance and finesse. The wine is extremely rich, as well as gorgeously poised and graceful. The saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by Medoc-like, lead pencil aromas intermixed with cassis, cedar, minerals, and spice. I wrote the word "great" four different times in my most recent tasting note, which mirrored every other tasting note I have. It is full-bodied and seamless, with a silky texture, voluptuous richness, and fabulous purity. The finish lasts for over 40 seconds. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.
Since the 1991 vintage, one of the stars of the Cabernet Sauvignon sweepstakes has been Shafer's Hillside Select. Approximately 2,000-2,200 cases of this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon are produced. The wine is aged in 100% new oak for 30 months. Recent vintages have all been spectacular. In short, attempting to decipher qualitative differences between them is akin to splitting hairs. I just hope that Cabernet lovers have the discretionary income and accessibility to cellar a few bottles.  Wine Advocate #120 Dec 1998

1994 Dominus Estate Proprietary Blend 3 Liter
Price: $1649.00    Sale $1319.20
Quantity in Stock: 1

(99 Points) ~~Christian Moueix and his talented winemaking team continue to rewrite the definition of a Napa Valley reference point wine. I have had a difficult time keeping the corks in my bottles of 1994 Dominus. Eight-thousand cases were produced from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. In this vintage, 174 days passed between bud break and the harvest, a remarkable period of time for any wine region in the world. The 1994 is a strikingly thick, compellingly rich wine with the texture of a great Pomerol, despite being made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine exhibits a dense purple color, and an incredibly fragrant nose of jammy black fruits, spice, smoke, and loamy, truffle-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, with thrilling levels of extract and richness, but no sense of heaviness or harshness. This seamless Dominus possesses no hard edges, as its acidity, tannin, and alcohol are beautifully meshed with copious quantities of ripe fruit. This wine offers early drinking, yet has the potential to last for 30+ years.  ~~Wine Advocate #114, Dec 1997 

1997 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard Napa
Price: $575.00    Sale Price: $450.00
Quantity in Stock: 2

(92 Points) The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, is a beauty. The healthy ruby/purple color is followed by classic, unevolved but promising aromas of minerals, cedar, smoke, and black currants. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with admirable purity, a sweet, lush mid-palate, and ripe tannin in the finish. The top-notch 1997 is a classic, restrained. Anticipated maturity: now-2020. Wine Advocate # 132, Dec 2000

1999 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard
Price: $336.00    Sale $268.80
Quantity in Stock: 1

(95 points)  The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (a 1,750-case blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot) boasts explosive aromas of incense, creme de cassis, minerals, and flowers. It is medium to full-bodied, with great harmony, and a sweet attack as well as finish. This is a classic example of power and richness allied to considerable elegance. Those in the foreign press who accuse California of being incapable of producing elegant wines have obviously never tasted this Cabernet. Anticipated maturity: now-2020.     Wine Advocate #142   Aug 2002

2003 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard Napa MAGNUM
Price: $995.00    Sale Price: $850.00
Quantity in Stock: 1

(98 points) One of the candidates for wine of the vintage, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard represents 1,600 cases produced from a 40-acre vineyard, which tells you how Draconian Araujo’s selection process is. The final blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot has resulted in a beautifully pure wine displaying an extraordinary floral, black currant, and mineral-scented bouquet, with no hint of new oak. The purity, richness and full-bodied power yet surreal finesse and impeccable balance should be cherished by wine lovers. This beauty can be drunk now and over the next two decades. Wow! Wine Advocate #168 Dec 2006