Over the years, my notes on the 1978 B.V. Private Reserve have been wildly inconsistent. In this tasting (February, 1995), the wine performed up to its highest standards, displaying fully mature aromas of roasted herbs, red and blackcurrants and cherries intertwined with caramel and spice notes. Dense, rich, and full-bodied, with a velvety texture and gobs of spicy oak, this high alcohol, lusty-styled Cabernet Sauvignon offers a compelling glass of delicious wine. Readers should be aware that I have tasted a number of bottles that are significantly less impressive, leading to the often shared observation from wine enthusiasts that B.V. stands for "Bottle Variation."