A brilliant effort, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Solo (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue in addition to a classic bouquet of graphite, licorice, black currants, dark cherries, underbrush, and fruitcake. Broad, full-bodied, and deep with moderate tannin, and terrific sweetness and length, it is an elegant, but substantial, authoritatively flavored Cabernet Sauvignon that will benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring, and should last for two decades or more. Tel. (707) 257-1770; Fax (707) 257-1538

Rich, floral, intense cassis and mint with creamy notes and a hint of mulberry. Full, rich, earthy cassis with lots of spice.

Here’s a complex, layered wine that impresses for sheer power. It floods the mouth with ripe flavors of black currants, blackberries, black cherries, dark chocolate, anise and cedar that finish deep and long. Delicious and dry, but quite closed now in tannins, and needs time. Best after 2009, at least.