The argument that wines with high ripeness lose their varietal and place-driven character is undone by Staglin year in and year out with its keenly focused aroma and flavors of currant loam and cola augmented but never dominated by the caramelly richness of fancy oak barrels. Full on the palate supple and somewhat fleshy the wine is impeccably balanced and very polished at first glance. Yet that polish only serves to sequester the solid layer of tannin that sits in the background and will keep things in fine fettle for a decade.

This gorgeous enticing richly flavored wine is remarkable for its understated elegance and finesse with subtle touches of green and black olive dried currant sage cedar and dusty loamy earth. Wows you with delicacy. Very typical of Rutherford. Drink now through 2022. -JL

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate possesses a denser ruby/purple color more structure and tannin and hints of toasty oak intermixed with tobacco leaf black currant and graphite. Slightly closed but very promising it has a medium to full-bodied youthful pure style as well as a wonderful length and finish. Cellar it for several more years and drink it over the following two decades. 91+