The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum (96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% mixed Bordeaux varietals) exhibits aromas of chocolate, cassis, incense, and flowers as well as a distinctive minerality/earthiness, full-bodied power, and a dense, layered mouthfeel. It should easily keep for 25+ years. David Ramey’s Healdsburg operation is becoming bigger and bigger, as evidenced by his 60,000-case production in both 2006 and 2007. However, quality continues to be exciting, offering a broad array of Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, and more recently, a handful of Syrahs. The entry level Chardonnays include three generic appellations, Carneros, Russian River, and Sonoma Coast. All three need to be consumed sooner rather than later. The three single vineyard Chardonnays are all from top sites, the Hudson and Hyde vineyards in Carneros, and the Russian River’s Ritchie Vineyard. Production is much smaller for these cuvees, from just under 1,400 cases for the Hudson to over 2,500 cases for the Hyde.Tel. (707) 433-0870; Fax (707) 433-0871

Deep ruby-black in color, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum, blended with 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, opens with tertiary aromas of baked plum, nori, raisin, cedar, dried tobacco, licorice, pencil shavings, cocoa and old leather with dried red and black currants and cherries plus a dusty earth note—this is one of those magical wines that brings back fleeting images of childhood as the aromas, difficult to name, flesh out. Medium-bodied, it's silky and fully tertiary in the mouth, with lovely savory and mineral layers. The tannins are firm and lightly chalky, the acidity still juicy and the finish long and nuanced. This is drinking just lovely right now! 872 cases produced.

Vanilla and ripe black fruit. Sweet entry, then very dry and tannic. Very bold structure - quite complex and interesting.