The 2004 Noble is sourced from vines over 70 years old. It was aged for 15 months in American oak followed by 6 months in French oak. Deep red in color, it offers up a complex perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, espresso, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a dense, full-flavored wine in which notes of milk chocolate emerge. The wine has a plush, elegant personality with the tannin nicely balanced by gobs of spicy fruit. Give it 5-7 years to reveal its full potential and consume it through 2025. Importer: Quintessential Wines, Napa, CA; www.quintessentialwines.com

Heavenly blackberry and fudge brownie aromas give this a bouquet that generates a wink and a smile. The mouth is succulent and graced by flavors of black plum, tea, nutmeg and leather. It’s big and robust, but balanced as can be. And even though it spent 21 months in oak, the wood is integrated and shows itself as chocolate and mocha on the smooth, long-fading finish. Drink now through 2013.——M.S.(6/1/2009)—— 92