A proprietary blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon 28% Merlot and the balance equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot the 2002 Cariad (520 cases) is fashioned from the Madrona Ranch and Thorevilos vineyards. A California hybrid version of a big rich St.-Emilion/Graves blend it reveals a Bordeaux-like structure along with loads of tannin as well as a certain tightness. Extraordinarily elegant exotic notes of orange rind ground pepper incense and Indian spices are intermixed with chocolate and blackberry currant characteristics in a seamless full-bodied style that coats the palate without any sense of heaviness. As it sits in the glass meaty bay leaf smoked Peking duck and new saddle leather characteristics also emerge. This singular red can be drunk early in life or aged for two decades or more.

Wonderful richness density and concentration of flavors with tiers of currant blackberry and plum hints of cedar mineral and exotic spiciness. Those flavors gain depth and complexity with a touch of mocha and fresh earth mixing power with finesse. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2006 through 2012. 500 cases made.