Packs in lots of delicious flavors from the ripe plump plum blackberry black cherry and spice notes to the pretty toasty buttery oak shadings. Very complete dark complex and concentrated though the tannins are fine and integrated...

...already drawing attention in insider circles. The first release from this 7-acre vineyard the 1996 exhibits a dense dark ruby/purple color as well as a restrained but promising nose of black currants blackberries new oak and minerals. The wine is sweet elegant and medium to full-bodied with high tannin and an austere finish. The oak is nicely meshed and the texture is attractive and chewy. If the tannin softens and its bouquet becomes more forthcoming this 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon may merit a higher score. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2014. By the way this wine improved significantly with exposure to air. The tannin became sweeter and better integrated after sixty minutes of aeration.