772 | Wine | Napa Valley, 3 L

"Good bright, deep red. Cool aromas of black cherry, licorice, tobacco and tar. The palate shows a restrained sweetness to the flavors of cherry, spices and loam (I got a note of Rutherford dust here). Broad and fairly full, finishing with substantial tongue-dusting tannins and a slight dryness."

"Tight and concentrated, with a dense, rich, chewy beam of dried currant, mineral, graphite, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's intense and full-blown, both flexing its muscle while displaying deft balance. Ends with a compact, layered finish."

"Rich and complex, with a focused, full-bodied core of earth, currant, mineral, tar, cherry and spice, firming up on the finish. Wonderful depth and dimension that cellaring should reward."

"Sweet, smoky, meaty aromas interwoven with melted asphalt, camphor, blackberry, cassis, and charcoal scents emerge from the complex aromatics. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied, displaying sweet tannin, a concentrated mouthfeel, and a long, heady finish with substantial fruit, glycerin, and extract. It should drink beautifully for 20+ years." 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

"A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, the wine exhibits sweet, subtle notes of underbrush, earth, black cherry, currant, coffee, tapenade, and even a hint of truffle. This is a wine of impressive finesse, richness, and superb purity of fruit along with a full-bodied texture. It should drink beautifully for 15 or more years as well." Reviewed by Robert Parker. 94-96 pts.

"A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a classic bouquet of violets, graphite, blueberries, and creme de cassis with hints of licorice and cedar. Stunningly pure and elegant as well as substantial and authoritatively flavored, this is a long, rich, concentrated wine with the grace of a ballerina." Reviewed by Robert Parker.