Superb BV. Dark with lovely mint berry currant and eucalyptus character. Full-bodied and chewy with a solid tannin structure and a long minty dark chocolate aftertaste.--Georges de Latour Private Reserve vertical. Best after 2003. 18100 cases made. (JS)

As fate would have it I had this wine twice within a 48-hour span - once at a vertical tasting of B.V. Private Reserves and again in a blind tasting of 1985 California Cabernet Sauvignons. I have rated it as high as 91 but over recent years the wine has been excellent rather than outstanding. In the two most recent tastings my notes were identical indicating that the wine is very good but not exciting. The wine exhibits a healthy dark ruby color a sweet spicy smoky nose with plenty of ripe curranty fruit medium to full body moderate tannin obvious youthfulness and another 15-20 years of aging potential. Perhaps this wine will develop more complexity and intensity thus justifying my earlier ratings. Drink it between 1998-2010.</P>