A plum/garnet color with amber at the edge is typical of many 1986 California Cabernet-based wines. In the mouth, the wine was dominated by acidity and tannin. Some spice and vague fruit aromas do emerge, but the level of astringency and a compressed texture are unfriendly and disappointing. This wine will continue to dry out and become more angular and thin as it ages.The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.