The 2005 The Puzzle plays it closer to the vest than the 2004. It is a beautifully textured, pure wine, but obviously needs time. It won’t be bottled for at least another year. The wine has a deep ruby/purple color and notes of subtle smoke intermixed with underbrush, black currant, cherry, licorice, and lavender. It is medium to full-bodied, has good acidity, and prominent tannins. Based on the way the wine was tasting when I was at Newton, this wine will need 4-5 years of bottle age, and should drink well for at least two-plus decades One of the most spectacularly beautiful vineyards, high on the lower slopes of Spring Mountain, is Newton Vineyards. Organically farmed and impeccably manicured, this was one of the first outposts to which famed Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland came, and an entire generation of winemakers formed by his brilliance have emerged from Newton. The overall style of the wine is one built on European elegance and longevity. The vintages from the early 1990s are still doing well, especially the 1990 and 1991.Tel. (707) 963-9000; Fax (707) 944-1123

A Bordeaux blend from Newton’s mountain estate, this lovely wine starts out with a fat, fleshy appeal. It offers elaborate waves of sweetly smoked oak that conjoin nicely with cherry preserves, red licorice and dark chocolate. A bit inelegant now due to firm, fierce tannins, but so balanced, it should easily negotiate the years. Better after 2012.——S.H.(4/1/2010)—— 91