With coaxing a surprisingly tight bouquet offers up damp woodsy aromas intermixed with scents of mint and ripe cassis. Full-bodied firm and admirably concentrated with a wonderful layered palate this impressively-endowed wine requires another 4-5 years of cellaring. The wine may be going through a closed stage of development as this bottle was less impressive than past tastings.

Dark ruby-garnet color. Complex aromas of ripe currant mint chocolate and black cherry this is in pristine drinking condition offering touches of mature Cabernet flavors while still retaining some youthful fresh fruit flavors. Excellent balance depth and richness with ripe tannins and fruit dominating the aftertaste.--California Cabernet '74/'84/'94 retrospective. Drink now. 4421 cases made. (JL)