The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Some Days Are Diamonds is made primarily from vineyards around Calistoga. It is a deep ruby/purple-colored effort displaying plenty of oak and earth characteristics as well as moderately high tannins. While it exhibits good texture as well as serious depth and ripeness, it shows some of the vintage’s hardness. It may turn out to be outstanding with another 2-3 years of bottle age, and should age well. Two Hands, which is well-known for their exceptional portfolio of wines from southern Australia, has branched out into Napa Valley, with the irrepressible Michael Twelftree and his partner, Richard Mintz, making serious Cabernet Sauvignon. There are about 600 cases of his luxury priced Charlie’s Patch, and 400 cases of the second wine, Some Days Are Diamonds. Both cuvees are made at the Outpost Winery on Howell Mountain, with winemaker Thomas Brown overseeing the production.www.twohandswines.com

Immediately appealing for its lush, direct flavors of blackberry pie filling, cherry jam, licorice and cedar flavors, with a vein of dried herbs. Drink now.——S.H.(9/1/2009)—— 87