...an inky ruby/purple color and a gorgeously sweet nose of creme de cassis and cherries intermixed with some vanilla and spice. The wine is opulent full-bodied with an unctuous texture and blockbuster finish with no hard edges. It seems to be on a faster evolutionary track than the 2001 but who's complaining? This is still a 15- to 18-year wine.

The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has aged well, although it is now fully mature. Dark fruit, worn-in leather, espresso, tobacco and incense are signs of a wine that has arrived at its peak. The style is classic Bob Foley, with plenty of ripe fruit and new oak inflections. Sweet floral and spice notes lift the finish nicely. Proprietor Steve Pride adds that these were the highest yields ever for the estate at the time. There is certainly plenty to admire here. -- Antonio Galloni

A polished seductive style offering rich black cherry and blackberry fruit that's ripe and well-defined with an overlay of smoky toasty oak folding together nicely on the finish. For all its richness and complexity this is a graceful wine that's already fun to drink...