3 | Wine | Cabernet Sauvignon, 91 to 95, 2005

"Complex aromas of currant, licorice, graphite, bitter chocolate, smoked meat, tobacco and brown spices. Began juicy, penetrating and quite youthfully unevolved, but aeration brought a suppler, rounder texture and more generosity to this impressively structured wine. Complicating notes of bitter cherry, menthol and minerals. This will require a good eight to ten years of aging but the substantial tannins are sweet and lush." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"The wine is full-bodied, youthful, tannic, and a promising candidate for long-term cellaring. ...The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a more closed and restrained style of wine, with firm tannins, Bordeaux-like austerity, but dense ruby/purple with notes of menthol, black currant liqueur, coffee, and a hint of olive." Reviewed by Robert Parker, 92+ pts.

"Bright red-ruby. Cherry, redcurrant, tobacco, minerals, licorice, spices and bay leaf on the nose, lifted by a faint floral element. Then dense, tactile and savory, with soil-driven currant, tobacco and saline flavors that stain the palate. Finishes long and strong, with firm tannins and a late note of raspberry. Like this producer's chardonnay this cabernet is a baby."-Stephen Tanzer

"A barrel sample of the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection offers terrific fruit intensity and purity, a more laid-back style, a meaty, chewy texture, and impressive opulence as well as length. It should evolve for 10-15 years." 92-94 pts. Reviewed by Robert Parker

"A barrel sample of the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection offers terrific fruit intensity and purity, a more laid-back style, a meaty, chewy texture, and impressive opulence as well as length. It should evolve for 10-15 years." 92-94 pts. Reviewed by Robert Parker

"The medium-bodied 2005 Ornellaia shows plenty of delineation in its dark cherries, blueberries, spices, minerals and crushed rocks."

"Dark ruby in color, showing aromas of currant, new oak and fresh herbs, with hints of spices. Full-bodied, with very chewy tannins and an outstanding concentration of fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc."