The sensational 2006 Reserve Claret boasts an opaque purple color in addition to sweet notes of creme de cassis, flowers, charcoal, graphite, and espresso roast. Full-bodied with layers of depth and richness, moderately high but sweet tannins, and a terrific finish, it will be even better with 3-4 years of bottle age, and should last two decades. Although this is a Napa report, I took the liberty of including the Pride Mountain Sonoma bottlings since their wines tend to be primarily Bordeaux varietals rather than the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, etc. that will be covered in the Sonoma report. My apologies to subscribers and the winery for some mistakes I made last year in issue #180, when I listed 2006 instead of 2005 for the Reserve and Vintner's Select wines. This is the strongest portfolio of Pride Mountain wines that has been made under the new winemaker, Sally Johnston, who replaced Bob Foley several years ago. Tel. (707) 963-4949; Fax (707) 963-6039

The Merlot that dominates this wine shows in the wealth of red and black cherries, but one-third Cabernet Sauvignon contributes its telltale signature of blackberries and black currants. New oak, however, dominates in the wine’s youth, giving caramel and roasted marshmallow flavors. Very fine, very concentrated and intense, and in need of cellaring. Give it until 2011, and drink for the next 6–8 years.——S.H.(5/1/2010)—— 94