Smells and tastes overripe, with a stewed prune note to the black currants, and a bitter aftertaste. New oak also stands out. Feels clumsy.——S.H.(11/1/2009)—— 83

The wine is 100% Cabernet, a combination of the winery’s Palisades vineyard, in Calistoga, and Graveyard Hill, in Carneros. Strangely, it’s not as good as either of those single-vineyard bottlings. It’s too ripe, with stewed berry and raisin flavors that are almost Port-like.——S.H.(5/1/2008)—— 85

Clos Pegase has turned into one of the most dependably exciting, multi-varietal wineries in Napa Valley. The very fine ’01 Hommage now is followed by an equally good ’02. It’s ripe and juicy in black currant, cherry and chocolate, with rich, velvety tannins. A minor quibble is that the wine doesn’t really need all that new oak; it almost overshadows the beautiful fruit. ——S.H.(12/15/2006)—— 91