While the flawless 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Charlie’s Patch exhibits a dark ruby/purple color and lots of new oak and spice, it is not yet singing. It is put together well, raw-boned, big, and extracted, but I have given it the benefit of the doubt and scored it highly, although I am not sure it will do as well with other tasters. These two efforts should last for 10+ years. This well-known negociant firm, which initially received a lot of recognition in this journal for their Australian wines, has branched out to California and France. The California cuvees are made at the Outpost facility on Howell Mountain, and both of these Cabernets reveal lots of new oak and plenty of ripe fruit, but any nuances or singularity of personality appears to be buried beneath whatever strategy they employed to make the wines.www.twohandswines.com

The exceptional 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Charlie’s Patch (from hillside vineyards) boasts a deep ruby/purple color followed by notes of black currants, licorice, and spicy oak, full-bodied power, and plenty of structure in the back end. The tannins are still elevated, but this is unquestionably a candidate for long-term aging. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020+. 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