The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum, containing 2% Petit Verdot, is deep ruby-black in color and offers aromas of cast iron pan, graphite, toasted cumin, star anise and old leather with dried red and black cherries, cedar, cigars, bitter chocolate and loads of red fruit and herb sparks. It's medium-bodied, silky and lush with a lovely interplay of tertiary and fruit flavors. It has a frame of cocoa powder-like tannins, retaining great freshness and finishing very, very long and layered. This is just stunning to drink right now! 865 cases produced.

From high on Diamond Mountain, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum exhibits an inky/blue/purple color as well as a smoky barbecue note in its creme de cassis, blackberry, licorice and camphor-dominated aromatics. This powerful, rich, stunningly concentrated 2007 will benefit from another 2-4 years of bottle age and should drink well for 20-25 years thereafter. David Ramey also produces Syrah and Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River and Carneros, which will be reviewed in the February, 2011 issue. Another look at his 2007 Napa offerings essentially confirm my comments of last year. I tasted through David Ramey’s 2009 barrel samples and they all displayed the friendly, charming, upfront fruit of this vintage. In many ways, they will be even more drinkable than the 2007s and 2008s upon release, but due to the style of the vintage, they do not have quite the power, punch or concentration of those two years. However, they are charming efforts and those who sometimes find California wines too rich may want to take a serious look at this vintage.Tel. (707) 433-0870; Fax (707) 433-0871

Restrained mineral, chalk, blackberry and cherry, plum and leafy cassis aromas. Ripe, opulent and full-bodied wine with roasted coffee and chocolate notes and dry, mineral tannins.