The 2008 Caravina (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits copious aromas of coffee, chocolate and black currants along with silky tannins, good density, not the complexity of its bigger sibling, but an attractive mouthfeel and plenty of length. It should drink nicely for a decade or more. One of my favorite wineries, Bill Seavey’s dry farmed vineyards are tucked back on the hillsides of Conn Valley east of the Meadowood Resort. Philippe Melka has been the consultant here for many years and recognizes the challenges of these dry farmed sites. Extraction, richness and power are never an issue, but taming the tannins is, and Melka has generally done a very fine job in doing so. The introduction of a second wine, Caravina, has only added to the prestige and quality of the top wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon.Tel. (707) 963-8339; Fax (707) 963-0232

Firm, with a tight, focused mix of dried currant, sage, mineral, cedar and anise flavors. Full-bodied and persistent, ending with a limestone minerality and a leathery edge. Best from 2012 through 2018. 593 cases made. -JL