Deep garnet colored with a tinge of purple, the 2009 The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon gives notes of warm blackberries and cassis with hints of dried Provence herbs and damp loam. The palate yields a good concentration of cassis and herbal flavors, with medium to firm chewy tannins, crisp acidity and a long, earthy finish.Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; Tel. (707) 259-0993

Opaque ruby. Powerful aromas of cassis, cherry pit, sassafras and tobacco and dried rose, with a subtle vanilla quality in the background. Smooth, sappy and well-focused, offering juicy dark berry flavors that are braced by tangy acidity. Tannins build with air and add grip and focus to a long, dark berry-dominated finish. You could easily drink this now but it has the depth to age.