3 | Wine | Cabernet Sauvignon, 91 to 95 | Page 5

"This ripe, dense red delivers base notes of humus, mocha and toasty oak supporting the rich cassis, black cherry and dark plum fruit character. There's fine tannins for support, but this is all rich fruit on the spicy finish."

"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 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a fascinating wine. Some of the rougher, wilder edges that are present in the 2008 are smoothed out here. Layers of expressive dark fruit, licorice, mint and new leather wrap around the palate in this deep, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon."

"This is a dense, ruby/purple-tinged wine with full body, and despite the softness of the general vintage, Montelena has plenty of structure...The wine has sweet tannin in a broad, flavorful, concentrated style with plenty of black currant, licorice, and spice. The wine is beautifully textured, slightly more forward than most Montelena Cabernets tend to be. It is another beauty from probably the most consistent winery for Cabernet Sauvignon over the last three decades." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"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.

"The generously endowed, dark purple-colored 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a rich, opulent, full-bodied wine loaded with layers of flavor, copious amounts of juicy fruit, sweet tannin, and moderate amounts of lavish oak. Less muscular and concentrated than the 1991, it is a superb expression of a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon." Reviewed by Robert Parker October 1994.

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon SLV Estate shows off deep layers of expressive black fruit, licorice, white flowers and tar. Here, too, the influence of Antinori is felt in the wine’s polish, even if the real leap in quality does not take place until 2010 for this bottling. Layers of fruit build effortlessly to the big, dramatic finish. This is a hugely delicious wine with plenty of intensity and sheer personality."

"A gorgeous core of juicy red fruit announces the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2010 stands out for its expressive, supple personality. There is more than enough fruit for the 2010 to drink well early. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the more approachable wines of the vintage. It should drink well pretty much upon release. Raspberry jam, flowers and cinnamon add lift on the floral, perfumed finish. This is a lovely showing from Plumpjack."