The estate vineyard is in Calistoga, and the wine shows gorgeously ripe flavors but never loses its basic Napa elegance and balance. Filled with flamboyant blackberry jam, cherry, cassis, licorice, chocolate and smoky vanilla-oak flavors, it appeals immediately to the tastebuds, but has the tannin-acid balance to age for a decade.——S.H.(5/1/2008)—— 90

One of the later-released Cabs from the excellent ’02 vintage, this 100% Cabernet bottling, which comes from the winery’s vineyard near Calistoga, is ultraripe, yet firm and balanced. It’s showing beautifully now, with its wealth of blackberry, cherry, mushu sauce and cocoa flavors, but has the inherent balance for moderate, and possibly longterm, aging.——S.H.(5/1/2007)—— 93

The vineyard is in Calistoga. The wine, 100% varietal, has lots of new French oak. Seriously good, it shows all the hallmarks of a flashy, important Napa Cab, with rich, perfectly sculpted tannins, a deeply impressive structure, and intense, long-lasting black currant, spice and toasty oak flavors. Just terrific now, and should hold and soften through 2012, at least. ——S.H.(12/15/2006)—— 94