Rating: 87/100 - As reviewed by International Wine Cellar in Issue 90, May/June 2000. Full ruby-red. Expressive aromas of raspberry, truffle, game, tobacco, sweet butter and scotch. Sweet, lush and fat, verging on confectionary. Palate dominated by coffee grounds, mocha and exotic oak tones. Finishes with aggressive, pungent oak tannins that grew drier with aeration.

"Dense, rich and complex describes this '96 California Cabernet--with its layers of currant, mineral, plum, cherry and toasty oak and its broad, intense and deeply flavorful finish. An extraordinary wine, scoring classic and well-priced. Best from 2000 through 2008. 11,300 cases made."

Full ruby-red. Expressive aromas of raspberry, truffle, game, tobacco, sweet butter and scotch. Sweet, lush and fat, verging on confectionary. Palate dominated by coffee grounds, mocha and exotic oak tones. Finishes with aggressive, pungent oak tannins that grew drier with aeration.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot are all aged two years in French and American oak, then blended to create this rich, Bordeaux-style wine.

Community Tasting Notes (average 92.7 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 103 notes)

Rating: 92/100 - As reviewed by The Wine Advocate in Issue 127.

Rating for United States-California: 90 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: too young, let it sit<br/>

outstanding, and still very much alive. great aged Cabernet nose, cedar and tobacco. great balance and length. justo's bottle

rich blk cherry and coffee, chewy tannin, and raspberry