772 | Wine | Napa Valley | Page 5

"A medium ruby color and aromas of dark cherries, briary strawberry and subtle hints of vanilla and lavender give way to a lush, silky palate with more bright fruit, cedar, and toast. This wine also has a great acid/tannin balance that should allow for great aging potential in the years to come. Enjoy!"

"Inviting aromas of cherry, wild strawberry, and ripe plum are interwoven with notes of sage and blueberry. Hints of anise and clove give added complexity. Rich, elegant and well structured, the palate shows a velvet texture with smooth mouthfeel and good balance. Layered with full flavors of ripe plums, cherries, tobacco, and sweet notes of vanilla, the finish lingers with rich, dark fruit flavors."

"A big, mouth filling wine, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, shows the personality of the vintage in its intense fruit. There is plenty of underlying structure in this deep, resonant Cabernet Sauvignon. Mint, flowers and sweet red berries are some of the nuances that are woven into the finish. This is far from an easygoing Napa Cabernet. Although delicious today, it should drink well for a number of years. Another year or so in bottle should help the elements come together even more fully."

"Creamy vanilla-tinged oak cloaks dried currant and berry fruit, graphite and crushed rock, firming nicely on the finish. A true to form Cakebread Cabernet."

"Combines richness with elegance and finesse, offering intense, focused citrus-laced pear, honeysuckle and melon notes that expand on the lingering, flavorful finish."

"This cabernet is drinking beautifully now and will age gracefully for many years. The aroma is bursting with ripe cassis, blackberry, plum and a hint of lavender. This intense ripe fruit is complemented by subtle hints of clove, anise and sweet toasty vanilla. The palate is rich and round with silky tannins that envelope an intense core of fruit that carries through to an incredibly long finish."

"Antica’s 2011 Chardonnay is laced with lemon peel, white flowers, spices and crushed rocks. In this vintage, the estate’s Chardonnay is especially rich and powerful, largely because the irregular flowering lowered yields by 50%. This is an unusual Chardonnay that is bright in its aromas and flavors but fairly broad-shouldered in style."

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve is a radiant, fleshy wine endowed with layers of dark red fruit, licorice, spices and freshly cut flowers. It shows striking depth and purity, while retaining elements of classicism that are very attractive. Everything about the 2009 is first-class."

"Ripe tree fruit and heady notes of baked apple are supported by layers of caramel, brown spice and toasted oak flavors."