Massive, decadent. Opens with extraordinary aromas of cedar, black currants, cherries, chocolate, sage, pepper and anise, with hints of roasted game. Feels very round, smooth but powerful. Almost sweet in red and black currants and chocolate. So refined, absolutely delicious. Beautiful, lush, complex, soft. Should age.

Bill Harlan’s fabled hillside vineyard has become, since 1991, one of the greatest names in the wine world. The first vintages were 1990 and 1991. The Maiden is their selection of lots and barrels that are deemed slightly less complex and impressive. That sounds critical, but this is a beautiful wine. Always more evolved, precocious and very sexy, the 2005 The Maiden is superb. Dense ruby/purple, with notes of underbrush, graphite, earth, loamy soil and oodles of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, it offers supple tannins, beautifully integrated acidity and wood. This is a beauty that can be drunk now or held for cellaring another 10-15 years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.