Wine Spectator named this the top wine in the world in 1999, with price (then $28) and production (11,300 cases) adding to its cachet. Cinq Cepages is now a benchmark Sonoma County Cab, and this one holds up beautifully, with its rich cassis and dark plum character intact, enhanced by complexing notes of sandalwood, licorice, creamy vanilla and tingly acidity. On release, 1996 California Cabs were under-valued, yet today, many, like this wine, show spectacularly. 18.5/20

Dense rich and complex describes this '96 California Cabernet--with its layers of currant mineral plum cherry and toasty oak and its broad intense and deeply flavorful finish. An extraordinary wine scoring classic and well-priced. ..

The dark ruby/purple-colored 1996 Cinq Cepages (75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc Merlot Malbec and Petit Verdot) exhibits a moderately intense nose of black cherries chocolate smoke dried herbs and toasty oak. As reported last year it appears to be California's version of a big rich St.-Emilion. Offering elegance and finesse along with copious quantities of fruit glycerin and flavor this medium to full-bodied wine has evolved nicely over the last year and can be drunk now as well as over the next 12-15 years.