Perhaps the best wine I have ever tasted from Turnbull is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label. An absolutely compelling example of Cabernet Sauvignon, with blueberry, blackberry, cassis, licorice, camphor, and graphite, this wine is intense and full-bodied, with sweet tannin, layers of concentration, a multi-dimensional personality, and a terrific finish of close to 45 seconds. This wine will be better in 5-6 years but will last 25 or more. It’s hard to believe this winery has been in operation for 30 years, placing it among the older ones in Napa Valley. I was very impressed with their Cabernet Sauvignons, and less so with their Merlots. www.turnbullwines.com

Plenty of ripe, jammy blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate and smoky oak flavors on this dry, full-bodied wine. High alcohol shows up in the form of chile pepper heat, and the mouthfeel is a little flabby. Seems unbalanced. Try cellaring, but no guarantees. Tasted twice. ——S.H.(5/1/2011)—— 86