California / USA wines in the Flickinger Fine Wines inventory http://www.flickingerwines.com/wineregions/californiausa.asp http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Abacela.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Abacela.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Abacela.aspWA 93 (8/2002): The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch (90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot): exhibits a saturated purple color in addition to a gorgeous bouquet of espresso beans intermixed with licorice, incense, blueberries and blackberries. There is more tannin in the unusually austere finish, but the wine is remarkably complex, and should be exceptionally long-lived. There are 500 cases of this beauty, which should be at its finest between 2006-2025.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Abreu.aspWA 96+ (12/2008): The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch is an extraordinary wine that has a European structural profile imposed on the incredibly rich, pure fruit of Napa. Incense, creme de cassis, licorice, toasty oak, and spring flowers are all present in the complex aromatics. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied, very rich in extract and depth of concentration, but there is a beautiful delineation because of the structural aspects and the sweet tannins, which are present but never aggressive. This is a beauty that should hit its stride in 5-7 years and last for three decades-plus.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Abreu.aspWA 96+ (12/2009): Abreu’s first venture with Cabernet Sauvignon was from the Madrona Ranch, which is essentially the lower hillsides of Spring Mountain, just northwest of St. Helena. The dense purple-colored 2006 Madrona Ranch (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot) is extraordinary. Its nose of charcoal, espresso roast, blackberries, cassis, crushed rocks, and white chocolate is followed by a ripe, pure wine with a fabulous mid-palate texture (a characteristic of all these wines), and good balance as well as length. It will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and keep for 30 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Abreu.aspWA 98+ (12/2010): The riveting 2007 Howell Mountain exhibits aromas of black raspberries, blueberries, crushed rocks and flowers along with full-bodied power accompanied by an ethereal delicacy and sublimity that make it a haunting wine to smell and taste. It should drink well for 25+ years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Abreu.aspWA 98 (2/2010): Proprietors Pam and Pax Mahle have fashioned a 2004 Syrah called Agharta. Aged 58 months (that’s not a typo) in French oak casks (the 2005, 2006, and 2007 vintages will spend 45-48 months in cask), the extraordinary 2004 is a 475-case blend of 92% Syrah, 5% Grenache, and the rest Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussane. Most of the Syrah comes from the Alder Springs Vineyard in Mendocino. This profound wine’s inky/purple color is followed by aromas of smoky barbecue meats, grilled Provencal herbs, and exotic tropical fruits intermixed with blackberry, cassis, blueberry, and graphite. This super-rich effort tastes like the nectar of Syrah, yet it is dry, elegant, and remarkably fresh and precise. In the mouth, the impression is like that of a multilayered cake – everything is there. This is an amazing, very multi-dimensional wine that must be tasted to be believed. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades.IWC 92 (6/2010): Dark ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet displays smoky herbs, dark berry liqueur, red- and blackcurrant, potpourri and an exotic apricot pit quality. Lush, pungent dark fruit and floral pastille flavors are complemented by smoky herbal and floral qualities and framed by supple tannins. Leaves spice and licorice notes behind on the long, sappy finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Agharta.aspWA 95+ (2/2011): After the mind-blowing 2004 Agharta Syrah, I had high expectations that it would be followed by additional great wines, and those hopes were answered with the 2005 Black Label, a blend of 97% Syrah, 2% Grenache and 1% Viognier. Aged 64 months (which must be a record in California) in 30% new French oak, it is another spectacular effort from winemaker/proprietor Pax Mahle. It boasts a gorgeously dense plum/purple color as well as stunning notes of black raspberries, gun flint, blackberries, licorice and camphor. This complex red builds incrementally on the palate resulting in a full-bodied, concentrated, complex wine that is bursting at the seams and loaded with potential. It should continue to evolve for another 12-15+ years. IWC 93 (6/2010): (96% syrah and 4% grenache, aged for 53 months in oak) Opaque ruby. Black and blue fruit aromas are complemented by exotic notes of anise, incense and black cardamom. Fleshy but nicely focused black and blue fruit flavors gain sweetness with air and pick up notes of succulent herbs and candied flowers. Manages to maintain focus thanks to its juicy acidity, which gives firmness to the lush and strikingly concentrated dark fruit and floral flavors.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Agharta.aspWA 95+ (2/2011): After the mind-blowing 2004 Agharta Syrah, I had high expectations that it would be followed by additional great wines, and those hopes were answered with the 2005 Black Label, a blend of 97% Syrah, 2% Grenache and 1% Viognier. Aged 64 months (which must be a record in California) in 30% new French oak, it is another spectacular effort from winemaker/proprietor Pax Mahle. It boasts a gorgeously dense plum/purple color as well as stunning notes of black raspberries, gun flint, blackberries, licorice and camphor. This complex red builds incrementally on the palate resulting in a full-bodied, concentrated, complex wine that is bursting at the seams and loaded with potential. It should continue to evolve for another 12-15+ years. IWC 93 (6/2010): (96% syrah and 4% grenache, aged for 53 months in oak) Opaque ruby. Black and blue fruit aromas are complemented by exotic notes of anise, incense and black cardamom. Fleshy but nicely focused black and blue fruit flavors gain sweetness with air and pick up notes of succulent herbs and candied flowers. Manages to maintain focus thanks to its juicy acidity, which gives firmness to the lush and strikingly concentrated dark fruit and floral flavors.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Agharta.aspWA 95+ (2/2011): After the mind-blowing 2004 Agharta Syrah, I had high expectations that it would be followed by additional great wines, and those hopes were answered with the 2005 Black Label, a blend of 97% Syrah, 2% Grenache and 1% Viognier. Aged 64 months (which must be a record in California) in 30% new French oak, it is another spectacular effort from winemaker/proprietor Pax Mahle. It boasts a gorgeously dense plum/purple color as well as stunning notes of black raspberries, gun flint, blackberries, licorice and camphor. This complex red builds incrementally on the palate resulting in a full-bodied, concentrated, complex wine that is bursting at the seams and loaded with potential. It should continue to evolve for another 12-15+ years. IWC 93 (6/2010): Opaque ruby. Black and blue fruit aromas are complemented by exotic notes of anise, incense and black cardamom. Fleshy but nicely focused black and blue fruit flavors gain sweetness with air and pick up notes of succulent herbs and candied flowers. Manages to maintain focus thanks to its juicy acidity, which gives firmness to the lush and strikingly concentrated dark fruit and floral flavors.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Agharta.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Agharta.aspWA 99 (8/2006): Perhaps the finest offering from John and Lorraine Alban, the 2004 Syrah Lorraine Vineyard will undoubtedly eclipse the 2003. From a vineyard planted in 1990, it boasts an opaque blue/purple color in addition to intense aromas of white flowers, graphite, and blueberry liqueur. In the mouth, an additional note of blackberries emerges along with plenty of tannin, superb purity, and stunning intensity. This singular effort represents one of the New World’s greatest expressions of Syrah. It should age beautifully for 15-20 years.WS 95 (12/2006): Dark, rich and hearty. Packed with pure blackberry, blueberry and wild berry fruit that's intense, concentrated and tightly focused. Finishes with a long, layered finish that keeps repeating the berry themes, with a dash of mocha. Best from 2007 through 2012. 300 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AlbanVineyards.aspWA 100 (8/2010): Named after his raven-haired Irish wife, the 2006 Syrah Lorraine, which comes from more sandy soils, is another prodigious effort. Like all of these wines, it is a remarkable wine of extraordinary intensity, with a stunning nose of blueberries, bacon fat, camphor, and even darker blackberries, along with unreal minerality and definition for a wine of this size and power. Full-bodied, with profound intensity of flavor as well as purity, this is another wine that spent nearly three and a half years in barrel prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. While there are 2,500 six-pack cases of the Reva, there will be only 350 six-packs of the Lorraine.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AlbanVineyards.aspWA 98+ (8/2009): The succession of prodigious Syrahs continues with the 2006 Syrah Seymour’s Vineyard (named after John Alban’s father). An infant in terms of development, it exhibits a smoky meatiness along with a forest floor character as well as its siblings’ colossal level of concentration, enormous, multilayered texture, and skyscraper-like mouthfeel. Remarkably, there is no sense of heaviness. Another tour de force in Central Coast Syrah, it should drink well for 30-40 years. IWC 96 (12/2010): (15.9% alcohol) Opaque ruby. Smells like a cross between a fruit-processing plant and a head shop, with its pungent, highly aromatic scents of raspberry liqueur, cherry-cola, potpourri, five-spice powder and vanilla joined by slow-building smokiness. Deep, sweet and intensely floral in the mouth, offering sappy red and dark berry flavors and a complex array of spice notes. Possesses unlikely vivacity for a wine of its volume and power, finishing with intense red fruit and candied violet qualities. These three wines put the lie to the assertion that high alcohol equates to heat and portiness; I wish that those who are prejudiced by the number on the label could try these with an open mind. WS 96 (2/2011): This wine exhibits a broad yet tightly reigned-in range of roasted herb, tobacco, mineral, graphite, pepper and road tar flavors. Full-blown, intense and chewy, with stewed plum and wild berry flavors supported by dense, extracted tannins. A baby. Best from 2012 through 2024. 350 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AlbanVineyards.aspWS 86 (12/2006): Herb, tea and sage, with a hint of brown sugar. Reveals more fruit complexity on the palate, with dried currant and plum notes, but ends dry, with a cedary edge. Drink now through 2008. 96 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Alesia.aspWS 93 (3/2007): Shows fascinating fruit that's dark, rich, vivid and concentrated, with wonderful layers of blueberry, blackberry and boysenberry that are sharply focused, smooth, harmonious and well-structured. The long finish keeps repeating the berry medley, joined by a touch of herbs and spice. Drink now through 2012. 200 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Alesia.aspIWC 90 (12/2008): Ruby-red. Varietally expressive nose displays peppery red and dark berries, mocha, woodsmoke and dried flowers. Fleshy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors gain depth with air, taking a turn to boysenberry and plum. Dusty tannins add grip to the long, meaty finish. I'd be inclined to drink this now for its early complexity. WS 89 (12/2008): Firm, grapey cherry and wild berry is served up in a medium-bodied style, offering good structure and ending with firm tannins. Best from 2009 through 2014. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Alesia.aspWS 91 (11/2006):Spicy raspberry and wild strawberry flavors are bright and vivid, with lively acidity and a cleansing aftertaste. Exquisite balance, with crushed berry flavors reverberating on the finish. Drink now through 2010. 216 cases made.IWC 91 (2/2007): Good full red. Knockout nose combines musky raspberry, mocha, pepper and nutmeg, along with a darker, earthier component. Densely packed and sweet, but with very good definition and energy to the very ripe flavors of raspberry, mocha and earth.Finishes long and full, with a stronger impression of tannin/acid spine than the basic bottling. These wines both smell like something from the Morey-Saint-Denis neighborhood.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Alesia.aspIWC 91 (2/2007): Good full red.Pungent aromas of strawberry, raspberry, pepper, nutmeg and blood orange. Sweet, shapely and vibrant, with zesty Burgundian red fruit flavors offering noteworthy inner-palate perfume and energy. Finishes juicy and firmly tannic, with sneaky length.WS 89 (12/2006): Smoky cherry, wild berry and raspberry fruit is elegant and delicate, delivered on a sleek beam of acidity. Ends with refreshing fruit vitality and excellent length. Drink now through 2009. 216 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Alesia.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AlexanderValley.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/LosAlisos.aspWS 93 (5/1999) Ripe, smooth and smoky, with wild berry, black cherry, currant, plum and spice flavors deliciously woven together in a supple, complex, concentrated style. Tannins weigh in on the finish. Best from 2000 through 2007. 2,600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Altamura.aspWS 92 (6/2004): Ultraripe and showy, with juicy wild berry, blackberry and currant flavors that are complex and concentrated, with a tight focus and a long, lingering aftertaste. Not shy about the use of toasty oak; the wood folds in nicely. A touch of heat on the finish underscores the ripeness, and it has ample tannins. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2005 through 2012. 300 cases made.IWC 92 (2/2005): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of bitter cherry, plum, licorice, dark chocolate, tobacco and smoke. Juicy, sappy and fruity, with dark berry, mineral, licorice, tobacco and fresh herb flavors enlivened by harmonious acidity. Vibrant and light on its feet. Elegant, flavorful wine, finishing with fine tannins and lovely verve.WA 87 (2/2005): While the highly respected Heidi Barrett is the winemaker at this estate, and the impressive packaging includes a heavy bottle and high quality artwork on the label, at present, the Amuse Bouche offerings do not live up to their full potential. The 2002 Proprietary Red possesses a dark ruby color in addition to light intensity aromatics of black currants and spice. The supple tannin and nicely integrated wood provide a well-balanced wine, but there is more sizzle than steak here. Drink this pleasant, easy-going red over the next 4-5 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AmuseBouche.aspWA 92 (12/1995): This high quality winery turns out wines that represent a synthesis in style between the extravagant ripeness that can be achieved in California and the more elegant, restrained style produced in Bordeaux. Beautifully packaged in tall, heavy bottles, these are pure, unfined and unfiltered, ageworthy wines that are meant to last 15-20 years. Recent vintages have all produced top flight wines made in a restrained, but rich style. The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon was closed when I tasted it, but there is no doubting its concentrated, beautifully sweet, blackberry/cassis-scented nose, full body, intense concentration, and structured, tannic finish. It needs another 5-6 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AndersonsConnValleyVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AndersonsConnValleyVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AndrakeCellars.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AnselmoVigne.aspWA 93 (12/2006): Araujo’s second wine, Altagracia, is almost too good to be true. There are 750 cases of the 2003 Altagracia, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. It is much more fruit-forward than its bigger sibling, but definitely displays the Eisele Vineyard style in its deep purple color, sweet nose of flowers, crushed rocks, blueberries, creme de cassis, and earth, super-sweet tannin, well-integrated acidity, and opulent personality. This gorgeous wine should drink well for 10-15 years, perhaps longer.IWC 90 (6/2006): Good ruby-red. Plum, leather and tobacco on the nose, along with a whiff of band-aid. Sweet on entry, then fat and full in the middle, with liqueur-like flavors of black raspberry, smoke, mocha, game and truffle. Offers very good mouth coverage. Turned a bit dusty with aeration, but finishes with ripe tannins and very good length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspWA 90 (8/2002): The 1999 Altagracia, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee from estate vineyards, is the debut vintage. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with low acidity, and plump, sweet, pure, black currant fruit intermixed with mineral and licorice notes. This delicious Cabernet is on a faster revolutionary track than its more profound sibling, the celebrated Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1999 Altagracia will drink well for 7-12 years.WS 90 (10/2002): An elegant, sophisticated wine that relies on finesse and flavor, with creamy mocha-laced currant and black cherry fruit. Holds its flavor and focus through a long, complex finish. Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2004 through 2010. 650 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspWA 90 (12/2003) There are 600 cases of the deep ruby/purple-colored 2001 Altagracia, a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot. This seductive effort reveals more fruit, charm, and lushness than the structured, more narrow 2000. It should prove to be a crowd-pleaser if consumed over the next 7-8 years. The selection for this offering is not made in the vineyard, but rather in May, immediately before bottling.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspIWC 90 (6/2007): Good red-ruby. Aromas of raspberry, smoke, gravel and nutty oak. Smooth in the middle palate, with flavors of plum, mocha and tobacco and nicely integrated acidity. The building tannins are a bit hard-edged, but this second wine, from young vines and "less-good lots," offers attractive sweetness, good life and firm structure.WA 90 (12/2007): The second wine, which now is a cuvee of 800-1,200 or so cases, is called Altagracia, and the 2004 exhibits scorched earth, hints of charcoal, black currant, licorice, and some spicy oak with distinctive elegance and terroir character, medium body, and nice, long fruit in the finish. It is meant to be drunk earlier than the Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, but it shares some of the same characteristics.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspWA 95 (12/1997): The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the renowned Eisele Vineyard, which has a long history of producing stunning wines (the Ridge 1971 Eisele Vineyard, the Conn Creek 1974, the Phelps 1976 Insignia, and the 1975 and 1978 Eisele Vineyard Cabernets). At present, the Araujos limit production of their estate Cabernet Sauvignon to approximately 2,500 cases. It is a wine that combines the extraordinary power and richness of this hot area of Napa, with stunning purity and delineation. The 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is just beginning to emerge from a period of post-bottling dormancy. Like its siblings, it exhibits an impressively saturated dark purple color. This wine is intent on revealing its charms at a relatively early age given its knock-out aromatics. Although slightly less powerful than the 1993 and marginally less concentrated than the 1995, the 1994 is still a profoundly rich, silky-textured wine with an uncanny balance between its smooth tannin and layers of cassis and blackberry/mineral-tinged fruit. This wine is particularly impressive if it is first decanted for 45 or so minutes. It will age well for 15-20 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspWS 97 (11/2002): Rich, earthy, decadent aromas are intense and enormously concentrated, with sharply focused, currant, pencil lead, mineral, sage and dusty berry flavors that offer uncommon depth and concentration. Finishes with an amazingly long and detailed aftertaste. Should be a 20-year wine, with ease. Best from 2006 through 2019. 1,745 cases made.WA 95 (8/2002); The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (a 1,750-case blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot) boasts explosive aromas of incense, creme de cassis, minerals, and flowers. It is medium to full-bodied, with great harmony, and a sweet attack as well as finish. This is a classic example of power and richness allied to considerable elegance. Those in the foreign press who accuse California of being incapable of producing elegant wines have obviously never tasted this Cabernet. Anticipated maturity: now-2020. IWC 93+ (6/2002): Good medium ruby. Highly nuanced nose combines black raspberry, coffee, mocha, leather and smoky oak. Lush, dense and sexy, with terrific depth of black raspberry, smoke, game and leather flavors sweetened by the 85% new oak. Still quite tightly coiled, in the style of the best '99s, with firm acids and superb persistence. May ultimately merit an even higher rating. The berries were small due to rain during flowering, said Araujo, with the result that the yield in '99 was much lower than that of '97.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspIWC 92 (6/2003): (a blend of 83% cabernet sauvignon, 9% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot and 3% merlot) Good medium red-ruby. Sappy black raspberry, redcurrant, flowers, tobacco and licorice on the nose, along with sexy, smoky oak notes of torrefaction. Dense and lush, with a restrained sweetness and hints of minerals and chocolate. Not a huge wine but boasts lovely intensity and vinosity. The first vintage of this wine to include some merlot - no doubt at least partly due to the influence of consulting enologist Michel Rolland. WA 91 (12/2003): The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is a 1,700 case blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot. This vintage produced lighter wines, resulting in a Bordeaux-like example of this cuvee. After 22 months in oak, this textured, perfumed Cabernet offers up aromas of black currants, earth, and lilacs (reminiscent of Chateau Margaux). It possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as medium body, a good texture, a slight austerity, but brilliant purity and balance. A lighter-weight effort by Araujo’s standards, it is extremely well-balanced and approachable. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspWA 98 (12/2008): There are 2,600 cases of the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard. As I indicated last year, this is a fabulous effort that manages to conceal its 100% new French oak aging. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by beautiful aromas of blueberries, black currants, acacia flowers, licorice, and spice. The tannins are softer than I remember, but this is certainly one of the vintage’s most extraordinary wines. Full-bodied with a seamless integration of tannin, acidity, alcohol, and wood, it is exceptionally pure and full as well as impeccably balanced. The impression is one of elegance allied with substantial flavor authority. It can be drunk now or cellared for 25+ years.IWC 95+ (6/2008): Good full red-ruby color. Wonderful floral lift to the expressive aromas of blackcurrant, black raspberry, tobacco, graphite and nutty oak. Dense, thick and sweet but with perfectly integrated acidity framing the deep flavors of currant, tobacco, mocha and earth. Finishes broad, dusty and very long, with the tannins thoroughly buffered by the wine's mid-palate fruit. This boasts real density of extract without any undue heaviness and offers the balance and backbone for a long and positive evolution in bottle. Very long on personality.WS 92 (10/2008): Smooth, rich and savory, with dried currant, wild berry and black cherry fruit that has a dusty, savory herb and underbrush flavor that adds complexity, ending with a pretty burst of ripe fruit. This grows on you. Best from 2011 through 2018. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 2,600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspIWC 91 (6/2001): Bright red-ruby. Very complex aromas of raspberry, tar, smoked meat and burnished oak. Big, rich and smoky, with a sophisticated texture and hints of exotic fruits. Very suave, smooth syrah.WA 89 (2/2002): The 1998 Syrah Eisele Vineyard is a soft, supple-textured, opulent, civilized effort that can be drunk now as well as over the next 8-10 years. Not a blockbuster, it is elegantly rendered, pure, and filled with blackberry/cassis fruit as well as a hint of honeysuckle provided by 8% Viognier in the blend.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspIWC 91 (6/2001): Bright red-ruby. Very complex aromas of raspberry, tar, smoked meat and burnished oak. Big, rich and smoky, with a sophisticated texture and hints of exotic fruits. Very suave, smooth syrah.WA 89 (2/2002): The 1998 Syrah Eisele Vineyard is a soft, supple-textured, opulent, civilized effort that can be drunk now as well as over the next 8-10 years. Not a blockbuster, it is elegantly rendered, pure, and filled with blackberry/cassis fruit as well as a hint of honeysuckle provided by 8% Viognier in the blend.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspWA 92 (12/2009): The sexy, opulent, floral, blackberry and black currant-scented and flavored, medium to full-bodied 2006 Syrah Eisele Vineyard displays a seductive quality that is hard to ignore. I would opt for drinking it over the next decade. IWC 91 (6/2009): Dark ruby-red. Black cherry, blueberry, scorched earth, spices and meat on the nose. Densely packed and imploded, with complex but reticent flavors of roasted plum, currant and mocha. A rather suave syrah but not yet showy. Finishes classically dry, with substantial dusty tannins that call for a couple years of cellaring.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AraujoEstate.aspBH 88 (7/2005): (from Monterey Country vines and bottled at 13.6% alcohol). A gorgeously pure and subtly spicy nose of considerable complexity and elegance complements edgy, firm and moderately structured medium full flavors that offer good definition and robust finishing power. The tannins arrive with a rush on the backend and it's clear that this is very young and built to age though it is always likely to retain a certain edginess. Drink 2010+.IWC 88+ (8/2005): Good deep red. Brooding, reticent nose offers black cherry, rose petal, mint and some high-toned, edgy oak. High-pitched and tightly wound; penetrating but a bit youthfully rigid. Compared to the Sleepy Hollow and Garys' bottlings, this is distinctly drier in the mouth, with a darker fruit character. Finishes youthful and persistent, but quite dry.Extremely unevolved pinot, in need of at least a couple more years of patience.With aeration, this showed more finishing sweetness and length, but remained relatively unyielding.WA 86 (8/2006): One of Monterey’s most distinctive vineyards is the grand cru-like Pisoni Vineyard, which produces an unmistakable, distinctive wine from a suitcase clone that came from Burgundy’s most famous vineyard. The 2001 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard exhibits a slightly darker ruby hue than the 2002, along with hints of sassafras, herbs, and earth. The acidity is tart, but otherwise the wine is nicely constructed. While it has more to it than the 2002, there is not a lot there. It does not reveal much Pisoni Vineyard character. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArcadianWinery.aspIWC 89 (4/2000): Medium red. Reticent nose opens with aeration to show black cherry, graphite and spicy oak. Rich and fat on the palate; a bit bound-up today but assertive and powerful. Rather wild flavors of currant, black plum and meat. Finishes with solid but even tannins, a strong spicy oak component and excellent length; tangy acids give shape and grip to the finish.WS 89 (12/1999): Has a lovely range of spicy, chocolate-scented cherry and plum flavors on a modest frame, echoing its flavors on the light but firm finish. This feels like it can develop more with short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2003. 410 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArcherySummit.aspIWC 89 (4/2000): Medium red. Reticent nose opens with aeration to show black cherry, graphite and spicy oak. Rich and fat on the palate; a bit bound-up today but assertive and powerful. Rather wild flavors of currant, black plum and meat. Finishes with solid but even tannins, a strong spicy oak component and excellent length; tangy acids give shape and grip to the finish.WS 89 (12/1999): Has a lovely range of spicy, chocolate-scented cherry and plum flavors on a modest frame, echoing its flavors on the light but firm finish. This feels like it can develop more with short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2003. 410 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArcherySummit.aspWA 93 (8/2001): The outstanding 1999 Pinot Noir Red Hills Estate is medium to dark ruby-colored and has boisterous wild berry and fresh herb aromas. Medium to full-bodied and hugely concentrated, this elegant wine combines power with harmony, refinement with muscle. It is juicy, deep, and has loads of powerful blackberry and cassis flavors. Drink this marvelous Pinot between 2005 and 2015. IWC 92 (4/2002): Deep red. Sappy, highly nuanced nose combines black cherry, raspberry, dark chocolate, espresso and cola. Concentrated, silky and layered in the mouth, with sweetly oaky flavors of raspberry and strawberry. Impressively broad and rich, but also elegantly styled. Finishes very long, with chewy but sweet palate-dusting tannins.WS 92 (9/2001): Delicate, supple and charming for its delicious plum, blueberry and vanilla flavors, lingering effortlessly on the polished finish. Drink now through 2006. 365 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArcherySummit.aspWS 92 (11/2006): Big, chewy style packs in plenty of dense currant and plum flavors, picking up a Nebbiolo-like tar and floral character as the finish persists against firm tannins. Better than previously reviewed. Best from 2008 through 2013. 359 cases made.IWC 90 (6/2006): Ruby-red color. Deep, brooding aromas of dark fruits and fruitcake, with strong notes of vanilla, clove, cinnamon, violet and candied licorice (I might have guessed New World syrah-or shiraz!). Rich and sweet but with a fine dusting of tannins firming the blackberry and candied plum flavors. Finishes with impressive length and a lingering note of candied blackberry. Again, fans of boisterous, masculine pinot will adore this. Serve it with rich dishes. Also tasted: 2003 Pinot Noir Renegade Ridge Estate Willamette Valley*.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArcherySummit.aspWS 93 (12/2007): Fine in texture, with bright, violet-tinged currant, cherry and coffee flavors that linger nicely against a soft bed of tannins. Has complexity and refinement. Best from 2009 through 2014. 327 cases made.IWC 91 (6/2007): Ruby-red. Explosively aromatic nose features powerful kirsch, blackcurrant, smoked meat and vanilla lifted by fresh floral and baking spice notes. Round and velvety in the mouth, with deep, sweet red and dark berry liqueur flavors but also good minerality and gentle acid lift. Light tannins build through the long, sappy finish, adding structure to this rather exotic fruit bomb. Fans of modern pinot will go nuts for this.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArcherySummit.aspIWC 92+ (6/2008): Deep ruby-red. Aromatic nose features cassis, licorice, bitter chocolate and spices. Lush, rich and stuffed with fruit, but with underlying minerality and harmonious acidity giving life to the middle palate. Intriguing floral and dried sage notes add complexity. A solidly built midweight with some youthfully firm tannins that reach the front teeth. The 2006 may have more tannins and sheer size but this wine is also in need of patience. WA 88 (12/2007): The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is very Bordeaux-like, but somewhat austere and overly tannic at this stage. The impressive minerality and sweet black currant and cherry fruit are there, but the wine comes across as slightly hard and tough. I am not sure this one will flesh out as much as one would hope, but it has potential. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 15.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Arietta.aspIWC 94 (6/2009): Deep medium ruby. Very dark, perfumed aromas of crushed cassis, blueberry, mocha and menthol. Dense, sappy and spicy, with terrific energy to the flavors of dark berry liqueur, game, licorice and menthol; I picked up a note of Cointreau. This superconcentrated wine boasts a generous texture but also has superb supporting structure and energy to ensure a long evolution in bottle. Finishes with big, broad tannins and terrific length.WS 92 (4/2009): Earthy spice, sage and savory dried berry flavors are full-bodied and well-crafted, tightly wound and appropriately tannic at this stage, yet the flavors build and gain intensity and density, making this all the more compelling on the finish. Firmly tannic. Best from 2010 through 2017. 170 cases made. WA 89 (12/2008): I was less impressed with the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, which I enjoyed more from barrel. Like a small percentage of this vintage’s top Cabernets, it has closed down, and the tannins seem more sharp and edgy than they were last year. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by scents of charcoal, smoked herbs, damp earth, and black currants. The aromatics, attack, and mid-palate are all impressive, but then the wine’s structural tannins take over, and the finish is lean and austere. I think it will improve with age, so patience may be rewarded. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Arietta.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Arietta.aspWS 93 (3/2009): This captures the essence of Bordeaux complexity with Napa style, delivering a complex, compelling mix of spicy herb, dried currant, sage, mineral and tobacco in a full-bodied style and ending with firm, spicy, earthy tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2017. 500 cases made.IWC 91 (6/2009): Good, deep ruby-red. Rather sullen aromas of bitter chocolate, licorice, smoke and menthol. Sweet, layered and deep, with a subtle sweetness to the flavors of blueberry and dark chocolate. Finishes with sweet tannins and an edge of acidity. Impressive for what is essentially this producer's entry-level wine. WA 90 (12/2008): The Pichon Lalande/Palmer-like blend called Quartet (generally 40+% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30-35% Merlot, 15-24% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot) is an intriguing wine. The 2006 Quartet reveals a dark ruby color along with notes of crushed rocks, spring flowers, red and black fruits, medium to full body, and elevated, austere tannins. It should be forgotten for 3-4 years, and drunk over the following 15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Arietta.aspIWC 95 (6/2006): Medium ruby. The nose is at once cool and exotic, with expressive, explosive aromas of black cherry, raspberry, smoked meat, iris and brown spices. Wonderfully sweet and dense in the mouth, saturating every square millimeter of the palate. A magical combination of syrah energy and merlot breadth. Finishes horizontal and with great persistence, with a strong element of baking spices. A great California red blend.WA 92 (12/2005): The 2003 Variation One (60% Merlot and 40% Syrah) exhibits a scorched earth/primordial character in the nose, along with hints of white chocolate, espresso, and black fruits. Pure, rich, and dense, with a singular personality and a complex style, it is firmer and more tightly knit than it was from barrel. Give it another 1-2 years of bottle age and consume over the next 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Arietta.aspIWC 95 (6/2006): Medium ruby. The nose is at once cool and exotic, with expressive, explosive aromas of black cherry, raspberry, smoked meat, iris and brown spices. Wonderfully sweet and dense in the mouth, saturating every square millimeter of the palate. A magical combination of syrah energy and merlot breadth. Finishes horizontal and with great persistence, with a strong element of baking spices. A great California red blend.WA 92 (12/2005): The 2003 Variation One (60% Merlot and 40% Syrah) exhibits a scorched earth/primordial character in the nose, along with hints of white chocolate, espresso, and black fruits. Pure, rich, and dense, with a singular personality and a complex style, it is firmer and more tightly knit than it was from barrel. Give it another 1-2 years of bottle age and consume over the next 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Arietta.aspWS 91 (12/1998): Dark, ripe, rich and polished, with black cherry, chocolate, wild berry and spice. Gains complexity and nuance, but finishes with a touch of stemminess. Best from 2001 through 2008. 430 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Arns.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Arns.aspWS 93 (12/1997): Smooth, supple and harmonious, with a velvety texture, wonderfully integrated flavors and lots of polish and finesse. The core of currant, cherry, chocolate and light toasty oak is sharply focused.--1987 California Cabernet horizontal. Drink now. 5,200 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArrowoodVineyards.aspWS 93 (12/1997): Smooth, supple and harmonious, with a velvety texture, wonderfully integrated flavors and lots of polish and finesse. The core of currant, cherry, chocolate and light toasty oak is sharply focused.--1987 California Cabernet horizontal. Drink now. 5,200 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArrowoodVineyards.aspWA 91 (12/1996): Arrowood's success with Cabernet Sauvignon, so obvious in the decade of the nineties, continues unabated, with a succession of top quality wines. Another sensational, opulent, rich, extremely aromatic and concentrated red wine from Arrowood, the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon possesses stunning concentration and intensity, impressive balance and purity, and copious quantities of sweet tannin in the long finish. It should even eclipse the super 1993. Everything Dick Arrowood and winemaker Michel Berthoud produce these days merits significant attention.WS 91 (10/1997): Ripe, smooth and polished. A harmonious wine with pretty currant, plum and cherry notes, finishing with supple tannins, good length and a dash of coffee. Drinks well now, but has the depth and balance to age into 2000. 8,421 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArrowoodVineyards.aspWA 91 (12/1997): When asked about comparing the 1994, 1995, and 1996 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vintages, Dick Arrowood felt that 1994 produced the richest, most opulent wines, with the roundest tannin. He went on to say that 1995 was slightly more forward, with attractive aromatics, but the wines possessed more jagged edges and aggressive tannin, yet impressive extract in addition to a firmer character. As for the 1996s, Arrowood did not feel they were as fleshy and round as the 1994s, but they were relatively supple, and usually possessed excellent aromatics and density. In essence, they are firmer, but not as tough as some 1995s. As the following tasting notes attest, all of the reds from Arrowood were exceptionally successful.IWC 89-91 (6/1998): Saturated ruby-red. Cassis, blueberry, cocoa powder and mint on the nose. Rich, sweet and strong; much more expressive in the middle palate than the above two just-bottled reds from the '95 vintage. Stuffed with fruit, but lively acidity gives the wine shape and grip. Finishes with substantial but even tannins.WS 88 (1/1999): Supple, complex and harmonious, with an array of cedar, plum and currant, hints of coffee and anise, turning elegant. Drink now through 2002. 8,264 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArrowoodVineyards.aspWA 89 (1/2000): The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon offers spice box, cedar, black currants, and a touch of licorice and toasty wood. Medium to full-bodied, rich, and moderately tannic, it has closed down since last year, so 1-2 years of cellaring is recommended. It will age well for 10-15 years.WS 88 (10/1999): Hints of dill and sage lead to a more centered core of currant, black cherry, plum and spice, and while it's elegant and polished, it's short on extra dimensions. Drink now through 2006. 8,866 cases made.IWC 87 (12/1999): Full red-ruby color. Musky aromas of red berries, espresso, mocha and tar, plus a distinct green quality. Sweet and easy in the middle, but I get a sense of only modest ripeness of fruit. The flavors are rather narrow. Finishes with good length, though.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArrowoodVineyards.aspWS 89 (6/2002): Firm and well-structured, with rich, gritty tannins and a solid core of earth, leather, currant, blackberry, anise and beef flavors that flex their tannic muscle on the finish. Best from 2003 through 2009. 1,006 cases made.WA 88 (8/2002): The 1999 Syrah Sonoma is more front-end loaded with austere tannin in the finish than the 2000. It offers loads of black fruits, medium to full body, and admirable purity. One to two years of cellaring may soften it. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2014.IWC 88 (6/2002): Ruby-red. Musky, varietally accurate aromas of red fruits, gunflint and game. Dense but dry, with suggestions of minerals and animal fur. Finishes with big, horizontal tannins that really spread over the palate.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ArrowoodVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 85 (11/2006): Spicy and earthy, with a Zinfandel-like wild berry edge to the flavors that makes it distinctive. Ripe, intense, racy and persistent, though not what you'd expect from a Napa Cabernet. Drink now through 2010. 650 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 91 (6/2007): Emphasizes ripe cherry, currant and plum-laced fruit. Medium-bodied, this picks up a nice dusty berry and cedar edge midpalate and finishes with a burst of ripe Cabernet fruit. Firmly tannic. Drink now through 2012. 770 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 91 (6/2007): Emphasizes ripe cherry, currant and plum-laced fruit. Medium-bodied, this picks up a nice dusty berry and cedar edge midpalate and finishes with a burst of ripe Cabernet fruit. Firmly tannic. Drink now through 2012. 770 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 91 (6/2007): Emphasizes ripe cherry, currant and plum-laced fruit. Medium-bodied, this picks up a nice dusty berry and cedar edge midpalate and finishes with a burst of ripe Cabernet fruit. Firmly tannic. Drink now through 2012. 770 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 95 (11/2002): Enormous complexity, depth and purity of fruit flavors, with layers of cassis, currant, black cherry, blackberry and blueberry flavors that are sharply focused and deeply concentrated. All kinds of extra facets and the kind of length and intensity that bodes well for aging. Best from 2005 through 2015. 195 cases made. ()http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 92-94 (11/2003) Smooth, rich and plush, with a solid core of currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit, framed by ripe, supple tannins. Excellent balance. Score range: 92-94http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 83 (12/2006): Overripe, with sweet-sour raisiny flavors that have a balsamic twist, though a bit tamer on the palate. Drink now. 216 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 83 (12/2006): Overripe, with sweet-sour raisiny flavors that have a balsamic twist, though a bit tamer on the palate. Drink now. 216 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 83 (12/2006): Overripe, with sweet-sour raisiny flavors that have a balsamic twist, though a bit tamer on the palate. Drink now. 216 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 91 (6/2007): Pushes ripe fruit to the edge of jam, with blackberry and wild berry flavors that are more supple and balanced on the palate than the aromas suggest. Impressive for its balance, grace and finesse. Best from 2008 through 2014. 245 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.aspWS 75 (12/2008): A little too heavy-handed with the earthy, leathery flavors. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavidArthur.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AstonEstate(Schrader).aspWA 87 (12/2000): An uninspiring wine, although certainly competently made and good, is the 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has plenty of concentration, power, and density, but seems somewhat monolithic and slightly austere. Jagged tannins in the finish may always be an annoying aspect of the wine's texture. It is capable of lasting 15 or more years. What an impressive debut performance.IWC 87 (6/2001): Medium ruby. Dusty, slightly high-toned aromas of black fruits, dark chocolate and nuts. Lush and rich, with plum and currant flavors and a slight dusty element. Finishes with drying tannins; betrays a green aspect with aeration.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Atalon.aspWA 88 (8/2006): A strong effort, the dark ruby-colored 2003 Pinot Noir Knox Alexander exhibits sweet dark cherries along with plum, pomegranate, herb, damp earth, resiny/loamy soil, spice, and pepper characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, with well-integrated tannin, it should drink well for 5-6 years.WS 87 (10/2005): This wine impresses with its subtlety, finesse and purity of flavor, with a mix of ripe plum, wild berry and cherry-laced fruit. It turns quite tannic on the finish, so short-term cellaring is advised. Best from 2006 through 2010. 700 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AuBonClimat.aspWA 89-91 (12/2007): The 2005 Proprietary Red Lucia Abreu Vineyard seems to have closed down since I tasted it last year even though it is still not in bottle. A blend of 47% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the wine has a dense ruby/purple color, wonderful purity, but jagged tannins and some austerity kept my score from going any higher. It exhibits more texture than last year, but I suspect I caught it on a bad day, and I will reevaluate it in 12 months.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.aspWA 89-91 (12/2007): The 2005 Proprietary Red Lucia Abreu Vineyard seems to have closed down since I tasted it last year even though it is still not in bottle. A blend of 47% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the wine has a dense ruby/purple color, wonderful purity, but jagged tannins and some austerity kept my score from going any higher. It exhibits more texture than last year, but I suspect I caught it on a bad day, and I will reevaluate it in 12 months.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.aspWA 89-91 (12/2007): The 2005 Proprietary Red Lucia Abreu Vineyard seems to have closed down since I tasted it last year even though it is still not in bottle. A blend of 47% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the wine has a dense ruby/purple color, wonderful purity, but jagged tannins and some austerity kept my score from going any higher. It exhibits more texture than last year, but I suspect I caught it on a bad day, and I will reevaluate it in 12 months.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.aspIWC 93 (6/2008): Good full, deep red. Deeply pitched aromas of red plum, raspberry, wild strawberry, cola, underbrush and earthy spices, all lifted by a floral element. Sappy, sweet, dense and thick, with impressive extract to the raspberry and underbrush flavors. This is huge without coming across as aggressive, and the tannins are wonderfully fine-grained. As has been his habit in making red wines for years, Aubert uses a spike of heat during the middle of the fermentation to get more sweetness and gras in his wines.WA 92 (12/2008): The very fine 2006 Pinot Noir Reuling Vineyard reveals more of a pomegranate character than previous vintages. Its superb bouquet exhibits notes of forest floor, raspberries, cherries, and a hint of allspice. Medium-bodied with good acidity and a shorter finish than the 2007 or 2005, this brilliant Pinot requires consumption over the next 4-5 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.aspIWC 93 (6/2008): Good full, deep red. Deeply pitched aromas of red plum, raspberry, wild strawberry, cola, underbrush and earthy spices, all lifted by a floral element. Sappy, sweet, dense and thick, with impressive extract to the raspberry and underbrush flavors. This is huge without coming across as aggressive, and the tannins are wonderfully fine-grained. As has been his habit in making red wines for years, Aubert uses a spike of heat during the middle of the fermentation to get more sweetness and gras in his wines.WA 92 (12/2008): The very fine 2006 Pinot Noir Reuling Vineyard reveals more of a pomegranate character than previous vintages. Its superb bouquet exhibits notes of forest floor, raspberries, cherries, and a hint of allspice. Medium-bodied with good acidity and a shorter finish than the 2007 or 2005, this brilliant Pinot requires consumption over the next 4-5 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.aspWA 94-96 (12/2008): The 2007 Pinot Noir Reuling Vineyard has more in common with a 1990 grand cru from the DRC than one would expect. Delicious aromas of forest floor, sweet black currants, black raspberries, cherries, and porcini mushrooms are followed by a broad, savory Pinot Noir with tremendous concentration, opulence, and complexity as well as super purity and good acidity. This sensational effort may be one of the most provocative California Pinots made in our times.WS 94 (12/2009): Dark, ripe and expressive, full-bodied and very complex, with tiers of black cherry, plum, spice, subtle earth and mocha-chocolate notes. Despite its depth of flavor, this sits elegantly on the palate and ends with a delicate combination of flavors. Drink now through 2015.IWC 93+ (6/2009): Deep red with ruby highlights. Nose dominated by purple and blue fruits, along with violet, black tea and a whiff of dark berry pastille; showing little sign of the heavy-toast new oak. Sappy flavors of crushed black fruits are quite closed, even a bit youthfully tough, revealing little easy sweetness today and superb underlying tannic structure. Less complex today than the UV: in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this shut down in bottle for at least a few years and emerged to merit an even higher rating. From a cooler site, harvested late. Aubert did a 45-day maceration for his pinots in 2007, sealing the tank to retain the CO2 He believes this allowed the tannins to flesh out at the end of this process.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.aspWS 96 (12/2009): Spicy baked cherry pie, plum and wild berry aromas turn elegant and refined. Full-bodied, but not weighty, allowing the rich flavors to dance on the palate. Ends with a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2015.WA 93-95 (12/2008): The 2007 Pinot Noir UV Vineyard reveals blueberry and black raspberry fruit along with the tell-tale underbrush, forest floor, and spring flower garden characteristics found in a great grand cru from Vosne-Romanee. It possesses a ruby/purple-tinged color, sweet tannins, and beautiful acidity as well as length. This beauty ranks just a notch below its sibling from the Reuling Vineyard.IWC 93 (6/2009): Good deep red. Aromas of black cherry, black tea and a spicy hint of chocolate. Tactile and dense but with a light touch considering its 15.8% alcohol, showing lovely lift to its dark berry, spice and saline soil tones. There's a brooding quality to this pinot's dark fruit flavors, but its pliant texture and early sweetness and personality should give it more immediate appeal than the Rueling bottling. Finishes with ripe tannins, a slight suggestion of warmth and sneaky length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.aspWS 96 (12/2009): Spicy baked cherry pie, plum and wild berry aromas turn elegant and refined. Full-bodied, but not weighty, allowing the rich flavors to dance on the palate. Ends with a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2015.WA 93-95 (12/2008): The 2007 Pinot Noir UV Vineyard reveals blueberry and black raspberry fruit along with the tell-tale underbrush, forest floor, and spring flower garden characteristics found in a great grand cru from Vosne-Romanee. It possesses a ruby/purple-tinged color, sweet tannins, and beautiful acidity as well as length. This beauty ranks just a notch below its sibling from the Reuling Vineyard.IWC 93 (6/2009): Good deep red. Aromas of black cherry, black tea and a spicy hint of chocolate. Tactile and dense but with a light touch considering its 15.8% alcohol, showing lovely lift to its dark berry, spice and saline soil tones. There's a brooding quality to this pinot's dark fruit flavors, but its pliant texture and early sweetness and personality should give it more immediate appeal than the Rueling bottling. Finishes with ripe tannins, a slight suggestion of warmth and sneaky length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.aspWA 96-98 (2/2011): A new offering from Mark Aubert is the 2009 Chardonnay UVSL, a selection of Old Wente clones taken from the Hyde and Hudson vineyards and planted on the hills of Green Valley. This is the first crop, and it is sensational. In fact, it is among my favorite Chardonnays in the 2009 portfolio. Tasting like a liqueur of crushed rocks intermixed with honeysuckle, baked apples, brioche and lemon butter, it is stunningly rich and medium to full-bodied with zesty acidity, purity and texture. Drink this fabulous Chardonnay over the next 5-7 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Auteur.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/LAventure.aspWA 90 (6/2002): An opaque purple color is followed by aromas and flavors of blackberry liqueur, spice box, licorice, and judicious wood. This dense, rich, and unevolved wine is a beautifully balanced, strikingly pure, layered effort that requires several more years to reveal additional nuances. Certainly, the quality of the fruit, depth, and texture are all there. Constantine Wines, a Maryland wholesaler, is the force behind this limited production, super-expensive Cabernet Sauvignon made by David Arthur's winemaker Anticipated maturity: 2007-2017.WS 90 (8/2002): Remarkably complex and well-made, with a core of earthy currant, black cherry, beet root, anise, tobacco and cedary notes. Turns earthier on the finish, in a pleasing way, with firm tannins. Best from 2004 through 2012. 375 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Axios.aspWS 86 (1/1999): Complex, with juicy cherry, plum and wild berry and a dash of cedary oak, but also some cellar-worthy tannins. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2000 through 2006.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BabcockVineyard.aspWS 88 (11/1998): Dark, ripe and firmly tannic, with a core of fruit flavors built around spicy berry, mineral, leather and cedar. Tightens up on the finish, where the tannins make their presence known. Drink now through 2005. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BabcockVineyard.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BabcockVineyard.aspWS 91 (1/1996): Young, tight and well focused, with intense black cherry, plum and anise flavors and a wild berry note. The texture is smooth and polished up front, before the tannins weigh in. Tempting now, but sure to be better from 1998 to 2002.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BabcockVineyard.aspWA 94 (8/1998): The second awesome release from this tiny winery dedicated to producing intriguing wines, the 1995 Bacio Divino (a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese, and 12% Petit Sirah) is a formidable wine of exceptional richness, layers of flavor, and a multi-dimensional personality. The color is a deep saturated ruby/purple. The nose offers up juicy/jammy strawberry, black currant, and blackberry notes wrapped with subtle toasty oak. Full-bodied, with outstanding ripeness and purity, a silky texture, and an explosive finish, this is a sumptuous example of what can be done with three grapes rarely blended together in such proportions. By the way, sentimentalists will be moved by the government warning label that reads, "contains sulphites and also some of the winemaker's heart and soul." This wine should continue to drink well for a decade.WS 91 (10/1998): A curious mix of varietals, its up-front creamy, oak-driven currant and berry flavors are followed by chewy tannins. Hits a few rough spots on the finish but also shows pretty berry notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah. Best from 1999 through 2006.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BacioDivino.aspWA 94 (8/1998): The second awesome release from this tiny winery dedicated to producing intriguing wines, the 1995 Bacio Divino (a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese, and 12% Petit Sirah) is a formidable wine of exceptional richness, layers of flavor, and a multi-dimensional personality. The color is a deep saturated ruby/purple. The nose offers up juicy/jammy strawberry, black currant, and blackberry notes wrapped with subtle toasty oak. Full-bodied, with outstanding ripeness and purity, a silky texture, and an explosive finish, this is a sumptuous example of what can be done with three grapes rarely blended together in such proportions. By the way, sentimentalists will be moved by the government warning label that reads, "contains sulphites and also some of the winemaker's heart and soul." This wine should continue to drink well for a decade.WS 91 (10/1998): A curious mix of varietals, its up-front creamy, oak-driven currant and berry flavors are followed by chewy tannins. Hits a few rough spots on the finish but also shows pretty berry notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah. Best from 1999 through 2006.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BacioDivino.aspWA 92 (8/1999) A terrific offering from this producer, the 1996 Bacio Divino (a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Sangiovese, 9% Petite Sirah, and 8% Merlot) offers a spicy, oaky nose with notions of jammy cassis, strawberries, and cherries. Full-bodied and complex, with a dominant black fruit element upstaging the new oak nuances, this fleshy, ostentatious, pure, gorgeously seductive wine will drink well for 7-8 years. Kudos to wine-maker/proprietor Claus Janzen.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BacioDivino.aspWA 90 (6/2002) The 1998 Bacio Divino (a 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Sangiovese, and 11% Petit Verdot blend) is a full-bodied, textured, layered effort exhibiting an opaque purple color, and lush, delicious, plum, cherry, black currant, and sweet new oak notes. The wine is deep, chewy, intense, and elegant. It is on a fast evolutionary track. This is an undeniable success for the vintage. It should be drunk over the next 6-7 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BacioDivino.aspWA 93 (12/2003): The flagship offering, and one of the most interesting blends from northern California, is the 2001 Proprietary Red Wine. Composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese, and 14% Syrah, it is a structured, closed, but dense, promising, rich, deep, and full-bodied effort. Aromas of black fruits, loamy soil, incense, minerals, pepper, and cedar are present in this impeccably balanced offering. With good underlying acidity and ripe tannin, this knock-out red should handsomely repay cellaring. Give it 1-3 more years of bottle age, and drink it over the following 10-12.WS 90 (11/2004): Intense and concentrated, with fine structure and chewy tannins wrapped around a core of spicy currant, anise, blackberry and spicy nuances. Given its size and tannic strength, short-term cellaring is advised. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah. Best from 2006 through 2012. 1,525 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BacioDivino.aspWA 93 (1/2000): The dense blue/purple-colored 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a terrific nose of plums, cherry liqueur, cassis, and subtle new oak. It is beautifully pure, with gobs of fruit, low but adequate supporting acidity, and plenty of ripe tannin in the finish. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for just under two years in French oak, this is a beautifully made wine that can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. This wine is made from the famed Grace clone of Cabernet Sauvignon (from Grace Family Vineyards).http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarbourVineyards.aspWA 87 (12/2003): The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a deep plum/ruby color along with a sweet nose of dried herbs, loamy soil, and black currants. Medium to full-bodied, soft, but undistinguished, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon should be consumed over the next 5-6 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarbourVineyards.aspWA 87 (12/2003): The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a deep plum/ruby color along with a sweet nose of dried herbs, loamy soil, and black currants. Medium to full-bodied, soft, but undistinguished, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon should be consumed over the next 5-6 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarbourVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarbourVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarbourVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarbourVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarbourVineyards.aspWA 91 (12/2009): From a 2-acre valley floor vineyard, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Cyrus Ryan offers deep black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with charcoal, graphite, and spice, supple tannins, an attractive, up-front, fleshy mouthfeel, and none of the rustic hardness that can appear in some 2006 Cabernets. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. WS 88 (12/2009): Offers a mix of rich earth, graphite, currant, black licorice and leathery character in a full-bodied style, ending in a complex finish with ripe tannins. Drink now through 2014. 348 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarnettVineyards.aspWA 92 (12/2009): From the estate vineyard (planted at a 2,000 foot elevation), the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake Hill exhibits classic aromas of black raspberries, blueberries, and the mountain fruit spectrum, very good acidity, a noticeable wet rock-like minerality, and a powerful core of rich fruit backed up by sweet, ripe, well-integrated tannin. This big wine should age nicely for 15 or more years. WS 82 (12/2009): Firm and concentrated, with deep, earthy Cabernet flavors that pick up a funky edge of melted plastic and herb. Not for everyone, but undeniably concentrated. Decant. Best from 2010 through 2014. 530 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarnettVineyards.aspWS 87 (12/2010): Intense and full-bodied, with a mix of pineapple and tropical fruit flavors that are rich and honeyed, ending with a dash of citrus and herb. Drink now. 1,015 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarnettVineyards.aspWS 80 (12/2004): Drying, with herb, currant and cedary notes that are pleasant if shy on extra dimensions. Drink now. 583 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarnettVineyards.aspWS 90 94/2009): Rich and muscular, with red currant and spicy oak aromas and complex, layered plum, cedar and sage flavors that pick up momentum toward ripe, firm tannins. Best from 2010 through 2015. 445 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarnettVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarraofMendocino.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarraofMendocino.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BarraofMendocino.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BaselCellars.aspWS 92 (10/1998): Starts out with smoky, toasty oak, then folds in its spicy cherry, currant and plum. It's a shade tighter and richer than the BV Private Reserve, with a firmer tannin presence. Best to give it a little more time in the bottle. Best from 2001 through 2008. 285 cases made. IWC 86 (6/2001): Medium red. Black cherry, currant, loam and menthol aromas. Offers good texture, shape and restrained sweetness, with flavors similar to the aromas. Not especially complex but nicely balanced. Finishes with slightly dry-edged but light tannins.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWS 94 (11/1999): Deliciously elegant, rich, vibrant and complex, with deep, sharply focused, ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry, spice and light cedary oak shadings. Best from 2001 through 2007. 300 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWS 94 (11/1999): Deliciously elegant, rich, vibrant and complex, with deep, sharply focused, ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry, spice and light cedary oak shadings. Best from 2001 through 2007. 300 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWS 96 (11/2000): Superrich and concentrated, beautifully focused, with layers of currant, black cherry, plum, anise, sage and cedar, picking up coffee, tar and smoky vanilla flavors before finishing with thick tannins. This was the best of four bottles tasted, with the other three exhibiting signs of cork taint. Best from 2002 through 2014. 290 cases made.WA 87 (6/2002): The firm 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6 reveals black fruit flavors as well as structure, tannin, and austerity. It is impressively pure and well-endowed. It will drink well for 8-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWS 84 (2/2000): Delicious, with currant, plum and berry character. Medium-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a short finish. Drying out.--Georges de Latour Private Reserve vertical. Drink now. 21,900 cases made.WA 76 (6/1995): The 1983 continues to display a pronounced lack of ripe fruit, flesh, and charm. Its alcohol, acidity, and tannin all poke through, and it is becoming more and more out of balance as it matures.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWA 87 (6/1995): A politically correct, safely made Cabernet Sauvignon with enough spice, fruit, body, acidity, and alcohol, but little in the way of thrills or excitement. The 1985 is typical of the recent B.V. Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. It remains youthful and will unquestionably keep for another 10-15 years, but I wonder whether anything more will emerge from this highly-structured, sculptured Cabernet?http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWA 89 (4/1996): The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve is a stylish, polite, elegant Cabernet with a healthy ruby color, medium body, and an attractive, understated set of aromatics. Although not extracted or particularly powerful, this wine offers considerable charm, elegance, and ripe fruit in a medium-bodied, silky-textured format. In spite of its accessibility, it promises to last for 10-15+ years. Interestingly, the wine is now aged in 32% new French oak as opposed to the old practice of aging the wine in 100% American oak. The difference is apparent in the more subtle integration of oak in the wine's aromatics and flavors.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWS 90 (11/2003): Elegant and graceful, with pretty cherry, currant and plummy Cabernet fruit and touches of anise and herb. Deftly balanced, with enough firmness in the tannins to merit short-term cellaring.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2007. 11,900 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWS 90 (11/2003): Elegant and graceful, with pretty cherry, currant and plummy Cabernet fruit and touches of anise and herb. Deftly balanced, with enough firmness in the tannins to merit short-term cellaring.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2007. 11,900 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspIWC 90-93 (6/1999): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of raw currant, coffee and smoked meat. Lush yet somewhat stunted flavors of black cherry and cassis. A substantial wine with plenty of fat and structure, but seems a bit pinched, even short today. The tannins build with aeration. Needs time in bottle.WA 88 (8/1999): In 1995, the renowned Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve is extremely tannic, with noticeable oak, earth, and spice in the closed, unyielding aromatics. The color is a healthy dark ruby. The wine is medium-bodied with copious cassis buttressed by high tannin, generous oak, and sweet black currant fruit, a firm finish, and a closed personality. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2012.WS 93 (10/1998): Complex and elegant, with ripe, round, plush, currant, cherry, berry and spice flavors, and a long, rich finish that gains nuances of cedar, anise, tobacco and mineral. Echoes toasty, spicy, vanilla-tinged oak on the aftertaste. Impressive finesse and polish. Best from 1999 through 2007http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspIWC 90-93 (6/1999): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of raw currant, coffee and smoked meat. Lush yet somewhat stunted flavors of black cherry and cassis. A substantial wine with plenty of fat and structure, but seems a bit pinched, even short today. The tannins build with aeration. Needs time in bottle.WA 88 (8/1999): In 1995, the renowned Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve is extremely tannic, with noticeable oak, earth, and spice in the closed, unyielding aromatics. The color is a healthy dark ruby. The wine is medium-bodied with copious cassis buttressed by high tannin, generous oak, and sweet black currant fruit, a firm finish, and a closed personality. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2012.WS 93 (10/1998): Complex and elegant, with ripe, round, plush, currant, cherry, berry and spice flavors, and a long, rich finish that gains nuances of cedar, anise, tobacco and mineral. Echoes toasty, spicy, vanilla-tinged oak on the aftertaste. Impressive finesse and polish. Best from 1999 through 2007http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspIWC 88+ (12/1999): Bright ruby-red. Quintessential Napa Valley aromas of cassis, tar, menthol, dried herbs, chocolate and Rutherford dust. Rather grapey flavors of cassis and spicy, cedary oak, complicated by an herbal note. Finishes rather tannic and a bit tough. Does this have enough flesh for its structure? WA 88 (1/2000): Beaulieu's flagship, the 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve, exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as aggressive toasty new oak, medium body, and firm tannin. The noticeable acidity exacerbates the firmness and tannic structure. Although very good, possibly excellent, it needs 2-4 years of cellaring. It should keep for 15-20 years. This wine needs more mid-palate as well as additional layers of flavor. Less acidification would open up the wine's texture.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspIWC 88+ (12/1999): Bright ruby-red. Quintessential Napa Valley aromas of cassis, tar, menthol, dried herbs, chocolate and Rutherford dust. Rather grapey flavors of cassis and spicy, cedary oak, complicated by an herbal note. Finishes rather tannic and a bit tough. Does this have enough flesh for its structure? WA 88 (1/2000): Beaulieu's flagship, the 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve, exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as aggressive toasty new oak, medium body, and firm tannin. The noticeable acidity exacerbates the firmness and tannic structure. Although very good, possibly excellent, it needs 2-4 years of cellaring. It should keep for 15-20 years. This wine needs more mid-palate as well as additional layers of flavor. Less acidification would open up the wine's texture.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspIWC 88+ (12/1999): Bright ruby-red. Quintessential Napa Valley aromas of cassis, tar, menthol, dried herbs, chocolate and Rutherford dust. Rather grapey flavors of cassis and spicy, cedary oak, complicated by an herbal note. Finishes rather tannic and a bit tough. Does this have enough flesh for its structure? WA 88 (1/2000): Beaulieu's flagship, the 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve, exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as aggressive toasty new oak, medium body, and firm tannin. The noticeable acidity exacerbates the firmness and tannic structure. Although very good, possibly excellent, it needs 2-4 years of cellaring. It should keep for 15-20 years. This wine needs more mid-palate as well as additional layers of flavor. Less acidification would open up the wine's texture.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWA 90 (12/2000): A strong effort from Beaulieu, the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve boasts a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a beautifully sweet nose of spicy oak intermixed with black cherries and currants. Full-bodied, rich, pure, and concentrated, it combines restraint and elegance with power and muscle. It will age well for two decades. While Beaulieu is no longer one of California's cutting edge wineries, this is classic stuff. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWA 90 (12/2000): A strong effort from Beaulieu, the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve boasts a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a beautifully sweet nose of spicy oak intermixed with black cherries and currants. Full-bodied, rich, pure, and concentrated, it combines restraint and elegance with power and muscle. It will age well for two decades. While Beaulieu is no longer one of California's cutting edge wineries, this is classic stuff. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWS 84 (11/2008): A rich, earthy style, with a touch of game meat to the dried currant, spice and wild berry flavors, veering to a dry, almost bitter roasted almond edge on the finish. Best from 2010 through 2017. 12,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeaulieuVineyards.aspWS 92 (5/2003): A bit light in color, but plenty rich in flavor, offering a lively mouthful of plum, blackberry and black pepper that echoes beautifully on the open-textured finish. Surprisingly refined, not as bold as most Beaux Frères vintages. Drink now through 2008. 2,821 cases made.IWC 89 (4/2003): At the outset: Moderately saturated medium red. Nose dominated by smoky oak, coffee grounds and menthol. Offers good texture and richness but only modest verve and definition of flavor, despite the considerable CO2 Substantial oak tannins dry the tongue. After 24 hours: Much more complex aromas of sappy red cherry, strawberry, mocha and spices to go with the nutty oak. Rich, chewy and strong, with nicely concentrated red fruit flavors. Finishes with smooth tannins and excellent persistence. BH 86 (10/2004): A touch of new wood frames ripe, intense and slightly roasted black fruit aromas followed by big, thick and impressively concentrated full-bodied flavors underpinned by solid extraction and a very firm tannic bite on the finish. This will require a few years to mellow out. Drink 2007+.IWC 89 (4/2003): At the outset: Moderately saturated medium red. Nose dominated by smoky oak, coffee grounds and menthol. Offers good texture and richness but only modest verve and definition of flavor, despite the considerable CO2 Substantial oak tannins dry the tongue. After 24 hours: Much more complex aromas of sappy red cherry, strawberry, mocha and spices to go with the nutty oak. Rich, chewy and strong, with nicely concentrated red fruit flavors. Finishes with smooth tannins and excellent persistence.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeauxFreres.aspWS 95 (5/2004): Big and ripe, a mouthwatering wine with tingly acidity bringing harmony to a wash of plum, blackberry, cherry and dusky spice flavors, which persist on the fine-grained, not terribly tannic finish. Drink now through 2012. 2,599 cases made.IWC 91 (4/2004): Full red. Enticingly sweet aromas of black raspberry, tobaccco, flowers, camphor and chocolatey oak. Supple, spicy and very lively, with sappy, concentrated flavors of red fruits and flowers, complemented but not dominated by oaky torrefaction notes of chocolate and coffee. Ultimately less thick than the Upper Terrace, but also more delicate and sophisticated, with sharper definition and more obvious backbone, and more successful integration of oak. This, too, offers impressive mid-palate energy for Oregon pinot noir, particularly one at this level of ripeness.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeauxFreres.aspWS 95 (5/2004): Big and ripe, a mouthwatering wine with tingly acidity bringing harmony to a wash of plum, blackberry, cherry and dusky spice flavors, which persist on the fine-grained, not terribly tannic finish. Drink now through 2012. 2,599 cases made.IWC 91 (4/2004): Full red. Enticingly sweet aromas of black raspberry, tobaccco, flowers, camphor and chocolatey oak. Supple, spicy and very lively, with sappy, concentrated flavors of red fruits and flowers, complemented but not dominated by oaky torrefaction notes of chocolate and coffee. Ultimately less thick than the Upper Terrace, but also more delicate and sophisticated, with sharper definition and more obvious backbone, and more successful integration of oak. This, too, offers impressive mid-palate energy for Oregon pinot noir, particularly one at this level of ripeness.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeauxFreres.aspWS 90 (9/2008): Still ripe in flavor, with blackberry, licorice and cream notes riding against fine tannins and a lively burst of acidity that keeps it all from getting too rich. A wine of poise and vitality.--1998 Oregon blind retrospective (September 2008). Drink now through 2013. 1,400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeauxFreres.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeckmenVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeckmenVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWS 93 (2/2005): From the cooler climate Mendocino vineyard of Alder Springs, the 2003 Alder Springs Cuvee (43% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 14% Syrah; 15.7% alcohol) exhibits a sexy nose of blue, black, and red fruits, a dense purple color, good purity, a sweet entry on the palate, low acidity, oodles of fruit, and an unctuous texture. Drink it during its first 5-6 years of life.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWS 93 (2/2005): From the cooler climate Mendocino vineyard of Alder Springs, the 2003 Alder Springs Cuvee (43% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 14% Syrah; 15.7% alcohol) exhibits a sexy nose of blue, black, and red fruits, a dense purple color, good purity, a sweet entry on the palate, low acidity, oodles of fruit, and an unctuous texture. Drink it during its first 5-6 years of life.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 90-92 (2/2002) There is a small quantity of the 1999 Syrah Hommage to Ed Oliveira. A 100% Syrah aged in new oak, this wine shows plenty of licorice and cassis notes, gorgeous ripeness, full body, low acidity, but moderate tannin in the finish. It looks to be an outstanding Syrah to drink after several years of bottle age. It should keep for 12-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 94 (12/2003):The dense opaque purple-colored 2001 Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard Homage to Ed Oliveira is a wine of tremendous intensity as well as a big, smoky, blackberry and blueberry-scented nose with hints of licorice as well as truffles. Dense, opulent, and voluptuous, it is a hedonistic Syrah to enjoy over the next 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 94 (2/2005): A blend of 92% Syrah and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, the extraordinary 2003 Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard Homage to Ed Olivera (300 cases produced) boasts abundant aromas of creosote, burning wood embers, blackberries, and creme de cassis. Full-bodied, with copious fruit, this pure, fleshy, succulent Syrah should be consumed during its first 5-10 years of life.IWC 92 (6/2005): Saturated full ruby. Superripe, expressive aromas of wild black raspberry, roasted meat and gunflint. Large-scaled, rich and chewy, with mouthfilling flavors of dark fruits, smoked meat and licorice, plus a distinctly salty element. With its extraordinary sweetness, sheer size and substantial chewy tannins, this wine reminded me of a dry port.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 90-93 (12/2000): The 1999 Merlot Alder Springs Vineyard (350 cases) is superb, but shows a cooler climate, almost jammy, red berry nose, with notes of graphite, toast, and spice. The wine has gorgeous purity, relatively low acidity, and a thick yet superb finish.IWC 90-92 (6/2001): Medium ruby. Perfumed, superripe aromas of black cherry jam, violet pastille and licorice. Supple and very ripe in the mouth; dense and sweet but given shape by strong acidity and firm, chewy tannins. Finishes with a note of dark chocolate. Very distinctive merlot, from clay-rich soil at an altitude of about 2,000 feet.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 88-91 (2/2002): A tannic beast is the 1999 Petite Sirah Barcini Vineyard. The wine is a dense purple color, with notes of earth, smoke, licorice, and black fruits. Quite sweet on the attack, full-bodied, with rustic tannin in the finish, this wine will require 5-6 years of cellaring and keep for up to two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspIWC 89-92 (5/2003) (from Oakville fruit) Good medium ruby. Very closed on the nose and in need of aeration. Densely packed, vinous and extremely primary, with powerful flavors of black fruits, bitter chocolate, tar, licorice, mint and charred oak. As tighhttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspIWC 89-92 (5/2003) (from Oakville fruit) Good medium ruby. Very closed on the nose and in need of aeration. Densely packed, vinous and extremely primary, with powerful flavors of black fruits, bitter chocolate, tar, licorice, mint and charred oak. As tighhttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 91-93 (8/2002): The 2000 Cuvee Lola (a blend of 75% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot) is one of the vintage's superstars. It is thick and juicy, with great fruit, fabulously complex aromas (Asian spices, coffee, chocolate, black cherrieshttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 96 (12/2003): The brilliant 2001 Cuvee Lola (sadly, there are only 214 cases of this 75% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petite Sirah blend) is what Bordeaux’s famed Cheval Blanc might taste like if it were a dry vintage port. This is a totally dry wine, but the glycerin levels are off the charts (give credit to the 16.1% natural alcohol). Inky/purple, with a gorgeous floral, blueberry, graphite, and smoky scented perfume, this spectacular, unctuously textured 2001 is an extraordinary expression of Cabernet Franc. I didn’t ask Les Behrens or Bob Hitchcock where they got the Cabernet Franc, but my guess would be somewhere near heaven. This wine should drink well for 10-15 years, but only a fool would allow it to sit unconsumed that long. Amazing!http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 93 (12/2003) Readers seeking a liqueur of black currants in a Cabernet-based wine should check out the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard (15.2% alcohol). A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Merlot, it boasts fabulous texture as well as richness. Dense and full-bodied, it will age effortlessly for 15+ years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 88 (12/2005): A 411-case blend of what Les Behrens calls “everything but the kitchen sink,” the 2003 Everything But possesses a dark ruby/purple color as well as a spicy, monolithic, soft, easy-going, medium-bodied personality. Undoubtedly a blend of declassified lots of the top cuvees, it’s a good, fat, fleshy red to consume over the next 3-4 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 92 (12/2006): The 2004 B and H Everything But The Kitchen Sink (294 cases) is dominated by two-thirds Syrah and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. It exhibits knock-out aromatics of blueberries, violets, graphite, smoke, and sweet oak. Medium to full-bodied, opulent, and fleshy, it is best drunk during its exuberant youthfulness over the next 5-6 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 96 (12/2003) The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is a compelling effort. There are 245 cases of this 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot blend. Sweet notes of creme de cassis intermixed with licorice, pipe smoke, and toasty new oak gush from the glass of this full-bodied, unctuously-textured Cabernet. It possesses tremendous inner-strength as well as a mid-palate in which one could get lost. This frighteningly rich, concentrated yet structured 2001 is classic mid-Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. How do these people do it? Anticipated maturity: 2008-2022.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 96 (12/2003) The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is a compelling effort. There are 245 cases of this 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot blend. Sweet notes of creme de cassis intermixed with licorice, pipe smoke, and toasty new oak gush from the glass of this full-bodied, unctuously-textured Cabernet. It possesses tremendous inner-strength as well as a mid-palate in which one could get lost. This frighteningly rich, concentrated yet structured 2001 is classic mid-Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. How do these people do it? Anticipated maturity: 2008-2022.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 96 (12/2003): The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is a compelling effort. There are 245 cases of this 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot blend. Sweet notes of creme de cassis intermixed with licorice, pipe smoke, and toasty new oak gush from the glass of this full-bodied, unctuously-textured Cabernet. It possesses tremendous inner-strength as well as a mid-palate in which one could get lost. This frighteningly rich, concentrated yet structured 2001 is classic mid-Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. How do these people do it? Anticipated maturity: 2008-2022. I admire what Les Behrens, Bob Hitchcock, their wives, friends, and lunatic dog are doing at their winery and cellars on the top of Spring Mountain. They are obsessed fanatics who make wine with no compromises ... obviously my kind of people.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWS 88 (3/2001): Smooth and spicy, an elegant, understated style with well-focused flavors of spicy currant, raspberry and black cherry. Best from 2002 through 2010. 442 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWS 89 (2004) Well-crafted, with an elegant band of spicy, earthy Cabernet fruit, echoing currant and berry, with fresh earth and herbal scents, finishing with a long, rich, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 4,436 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWS 89 (2004) Well-crafted, with an elegant band of spicy, earthy Cabernet fruit, echoing currant and berry, with fresh earth and herbal scents, finishing with a long, rich, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 4,436 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 95 (12/2003) The 2001 The Heavyweight is packaged in a ponderously thick, heavy bottle that must have been designed by orthopedic surgeons. A Bordeaux blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot, and 12% Merlot, it reveals an un-Bordeaux-like alcohol level of 15.6%. The fruit sources are all high-class vineyards, including Fortuna for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Kenefick Ranch for the Petit Verdot, and Thorevilos for the Cabernet Sauvignon. This big, bruising offering reminds me of dry vintage port. Its style is not terribly dissimilar from two 100-point wines, the 1997 Bryant Family Vineyard and 1997 Harlan, although it does not quite have the complexity of those two efforts, hence the mid-90 point score. Amazing stuff, it boasts an unctuous texture, great density, terrific richness, and a palate-staining thickness/viscosity. Gobs of creamy black currant fruit are present in this opulent, voluptuous, over-sized, pure, unadulterated, 100% in-your-face California offering. It should drink well for 12-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 93 (12/2005): Speaking of a Heavyweight, the 2003 (50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% equal parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) is a sensational 375-case effort from the Thorevilos Vineyard owned by David Abreu and Ric Foreman. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by an explosive bouquet of black and blue fruits, cedar, and high quality French oak. Boasting tremendous richness, fatness, opulence, and a viscous feel in the mouth, it is a big, in-your-face offering with low acidity, huge fruit, and a blockbuster finish. It should drink well for 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BehrensHitchcock.aspWA 86 (6/2002): Benessere's medium ruby/garnet-colored, seductive 1998 Sangiovese offers sweet strawberry/cherry fruit, medium body, and a lush texture. Drink it over the next year.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Benessere.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Benziger.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beresan.aspWS 91 (5/1992): Enormously concentrated, smelling of smoke and coffee and tasting of chocolate and black cherry. An extreme wine that swings for the fences. A long, toasty finish brings the oak flavors back for an encore. Tannic and young enough to start drinking in 199 6,000 cases made.WA 89 (10/1993): Beringer continues to do everything right. Its staff of talented professionals may rank as the best in the business. Beringer's Merlot from the Bancroft Vineyard on Howell Mountain is one of the top three or four California Merlots. The nearly outstanding 1989 Merlot-Bancroft Vineyard is a big, rich, chocolatey, toffee-scented wine that displays considerable evidence of aging in toasty new oak. A full-bodied, fleshy wine, it is a terrific example from this irregular vintage. It matches the intensity of the 1990.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beringer.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beringer.aspIWC 92 (6/1999): Good deep ruby-red. Cassis, dark berries and dark chocolate on the nose, plus hints of coffee and cinnamon. Smooth, supple and intensely flavored; suave and sweet. Finishes with tongue-coating but rather soft tannins and palate-staining, expanding fruit flavor. WS 92 (12/2005): Aromas of earth, clay and currant turn rich and loamy on the palate. This is a dense, concentrated young wine that either needs decanting or a little more cellar time. On the finish it reveals a rich core of cherry and currant, finishing with muscular tannins.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 200 cases made. WA 91 (12/1998): The 1995 Merlot Bancroft Ranch exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, followed by a stunning nose of chocolate, minerals, black cherries, and toast. A serious, mountain-styled Merlot, it displays full body, outstanding concentration and purity, and moderate tannin. It needs to be cellared for another 2-3 years, but will last 15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beringer.aspIWC 92+ (6/2002): (includes bits of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc) Good medium ruby. Aromas of plum, dark raspberry and chocolate; slightly liqueur-like. Then fat, full and sweet in the mouth, with concentrated dark fruit and licorice flavors. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and excellent length. This, too, needs time. This vintage is still from old vines, but Beringer is in the process of replanting this vineyard. WA 90 (12/2005): The single-vineyard bottling, the 2002 Merlot Bancroft Ranch, shows mocha-infused white chocolate, black cherry, and currant fruit with a hint of minerality and underbrush. Deep, full-bodied, rather rich, but overlaid by some serious structure and tannin, this is a relatively big styled Merlot that should age handsomely for 12 or more years.WS 86 (12/2006): Intense, marked by cedar-, vanilla- and dill-laced oak, which provides a chewy, woody edge. The core of plum and blackberry is appealing. If only the wood weren't so dominant. Drink now through 2011. 2,048 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beringer.aspIWC 92+ (6/2002): (includes bits of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc) Good medium ruby. Aromas of plum, dark raspberry and chocolate; slightly liqueur-like. Then fat, full and sweet in the mouth, with concentrated dark fruit and licorice flavors. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and excellent length. This, too, needs time. This vintage is still from old vines, but Beringer is in the process of replanting this vineyard. WA 90 (12/2005): The single-vineyard bottling, the 2002 Merlot Bancroft Ranch, shows mocha-infused white chocolate, black cherry, and currant fruit with a hint of minerality and underbrush. Deep, full-bodied, rather rich, but overlaid by some serious structure and tannin, this is a relatively big styled Merlot that should age handsomely for 12 or more years.WS 86 (12/2006): Intense, marked by cedar-, vanilla- and dill-laced oak, which provides a chewy, woody edge. The core of plum and blackberry is appealing. If only the wood weren't so dominant. Drink now through 2011. 2,048 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beringer.aspWA 95 (12/1997): One of Beringer's newest projects is to expand the top of their portfolio, offering limited quantities (approximately 200 case lots) of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons from the different terroirs. Two-hundred cases were produced of the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Marston Vineyard, a vineyard planted on Spring Mountain. This stunning Cabernet boasts a dense black/purple color, jammy blueberry and cassis aromas, and a fruit-driven style. Despite being aged in 100% new oak, little wood is noticeable in this sexy, voluptuously-textured, dazzlingly-concentrated, richly-fruity wine. Its low acidity and purity make for a compellingly drinkable Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: now-2012. WS 92 (10/1997): Brimming with ripe, rich, concentrated cherry, currant, plum and anise flavors. Tannins are in proportion, finish is long and complex. New vineyard-designated Cabernet from Beringer. 200 cases made. IWC 8u9+ (6/1998): Very good ruby-red color. Expressive aromas of black cherry, cassis and flowers, with briary, inky, camphor-like nuances. Fat on entry, then extremely backward, with a firm acid spine. Has a strong herb and mint aspect. Tough tannins will require patience.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beringer.aspWS 94 (9/2000): Superrich and caramelly, with loads of fig, apricot, vanilla, hazelnut, pecan and toasty oak. Finishes with a long, rich aftertaste. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2010. 400 cases made. IWC 90 (6/1999): Pale gold color. Herbal, grassy, spicy aromas of honey and vanilla. Moderately viscous but given shape by harmonious acids. Not yet showing the range of fruit flavors of the '95, but this wine comes across as fresher and longer. Finishing notes of white raisin and honey.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beringer.aspWA 90 (8/1996): The fully mature, open-knit 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is totally delicious. The color is dark garnet with some amber at the edge. The big, sweet, licorice, earthy, jammy, black fruit-scented nose is followed by a full-bodied, sweet, expansive, chewy wine with no hard edges. The acidity and tannin are both well-integrated in this plump, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well for 5-6 more years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Beringer.aspWS 80 (12/2007): Herbal and cedary. Simple, with modest dusty berry fruit. Tastes stripped. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BlackbirdVineyards.aspWA 91 (12/2007): The 2005 Proprietary Red Wine is a blend of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from the Oak Knoll sector of Napa. Its deep ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by a sweet perfume of mocha, caramelized black cherries and currants, and hints of chocolate as well as espresso. With terrific fruit, medium to full body, supple tannin, and well-integrated acidity and alcohol, it should be drunk over the next 8-10 years.WS 90 (3/2008): Aromas of plum and roasted sage lead to intense, youthful black cherry, cracked pepper and licorice flavors, finishing with rich, loamy tannins. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 1,100 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BlackbirdVineyards.aspIWC 96 (6/2005): Saturated ruby. Knockout nose combines blueberry pastille, black raspberry, minerals, violet, espresso and sexy oak. Hugely complex, superripe and dry, with flavors of dark berries, bitter chocolate, mocha, smoke and minerals that reach every nook and cranny of the palate. This is just at the limit of surmaturite (the alcohol here is 14.7%, high for this site but not at all excessive by today's North Coast cabernet standards), but does not cross over the line. Finishes with broad, spreading tannins that reach the front teeth and come across as even lusher than those of the 2002 merlot.WA 95 (2/2005) The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon is the finest effort yet produced at Blankiet. An inky/blue/purple color is followed by aromas and flavors of graphite, blackberries, cassis, espresso roast, chocolate, and licorice. With thrilling intensity, multiple dimensions, full body, and stunning concentration, it should be cellared for 2-3 more years, and drunk over the following two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Blankiet.aspWA 96 (12/2006): There are 1,300 cases of the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Paradise Hills Vineyard. Boasting delicious fudge-like aromas intermixed with blackberry, coffee bean, and pain grille scents, this super-rich, full-bodied effort displays a Graves-like, volcanic, scorched earth/hot stone element in its flavors. With moderately high tannin, it will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age, and should drink well over the following two decades.IWC 94 (6/2007): Deep ruby. Vibrant, pure aromas of black raspberry and violet. Sweet, primary and sophisticated, with a lovely lightness of touch for a 2004. Very fresh cabernet with a building finish featuring suave, rich tannins and outstanding length. From fruit picked under more moderate conditions than the merlot, which came in during the heat spike at the beginning of September.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Blankiet.aspWA 95+ (12/2007): The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Paradise Hills Vineyard (1,200 cases) reveals a chocolatey espresso roast note with mocha, blackberry and cassis, high tannins, but full body, superb concentration, purity, and an almost Graves-like scorched earth character. This wine needs 3-4 years of bottle age, and should last 25-30 years.IWC 92+ (6/2008): Good deep, saturated ruby. Aromas of currant, bitter chocolate, violet and tobacco. Juicy and penetrating, with firm-edged, slightly green acidity that has not yet harmonized with the wine's fruit. This very young wine will need extended time in bottle to come together. Claude Blankiet noted that the substantial spring rain in 2005 caused the vines "to go crazy," producing a big crop that required a lot of work to control the ultimate yields. A good bit of 2005 wine was ultimately declassified (the equivalent of about 600 cases), he told me, and when Michel Rolland helped out with the final blends, he added some cabernet sauvignon to the Rive Droite cuvee "to give it more middle." The 3.68 pH of this wine is unusually low.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Blankiet.aspWA 96 (12/2005): The 2003 Merlot is better out of bottle than it was from cask. An explosively rich wine that ranks among the finest Merlots I have tasted from California in the last decade, it boasts an incredibly perfumed nose of espresso roast, mocha-infused chocolate, blackberry, cassis, cherry liqueur, and smoke. With an enormous texture, fabulous concentration, a packed-and-stacked mid-palate, and an explosive intense, ripe, long finish, this stunning wine is extraordinarily complex and savory. Anticipated maturity: now-2020.IWC 93 (6/2006): Saturated ruby-red. Sour cherry, plum, menthol, mocha and smoked meat on the nose. Less fleshy than the young 2004 but still round, large-scaled and mouthfilling, with considerable complexity. Finishes quite long, with substantial dusty tannins and excellent grip.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Blankiet.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Blankiet.aspWS 88 (12/2008): Clean, complex, rich and concentrated, with spicy cola, dried cherry, herb, anise and mineral flavors that are focused and persistent. Drink now through 2011. 35 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Boheme.aspWA 92 (4/2004): Wonderful balance and sense of proportion, with rich yet subtle blackberry and black cherry and hints of anise, light oak, mineral and earth, but then the fruit returns, revealing the concentration. Drink now through 2010. 260 cases made.IWC 88 (2/2004): Saturated red-ruby. Liqueur-like aromas of framboise, redcurrant and smoke. Dense, sappy and sweet, with sexy, liqueur-like red fruit flavors supported by fresh acids. Lingering finish features smooth tannins and a flavor of raspberry.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Bonaccorsi.aspWA 90 (6/2011): I believe this 2001 was made by well-known consultants Mia Klein and David Abreu. Plum, black currant, licorice, incense and graphite result in a complex, open-knit, stylish set of aromatics. In the mouth, a Margaux-like elegance and feminine style are found in this pretty yet soft, medium-bodied Cabernet. The acids, tannins, alcohol and wood components are all nicely integrated in this enjoyable, complex effort. It should continue to age effortlessly for another decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Bressler.aspWA 92-94 (2/2005): The outstanding 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (the finest of the first three vintages) exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a fragrant bouquet of cedar, smoke, black currants, sweet plums and cherries, and a hint of loamy soil. Broad and fleshy on the palate, with beautiful purity, nicely integrated acidity and tannin, and a succulent, concentrated finish, this 2002 should be accessible young, yet age nicely for 10-15 years. This is an estate-bottled 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that is aged in 100% new French oak for 25 months prior to bottling.WS 92 (8/2006): A rich, plush, dense and chewy youngster, with layers of earthy currant, mineral, herb, sage and cedar. Tightly wound, with fine concentration, the fruit gains complexity and nuance on a long, focused finish. Best from 2007 through 2013. 300 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Bressler.aspWA 89-92 (2/2005): The elegantly-styled, charming, deep ruby/purple/plum-colored 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals less weight, flesh, and concentration than the 2002. A sweet nose of black currants, cherries, spice box, and damp earth is followed by elegant, medium-bodied flavors, well integrated tannin, a subtle dosage of wood, and a good finish. It should evolve nicely for 10-15 years. This is an estate-bottled 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that is aged in 100% new French oak for 25 months prior to bottling.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Bressler.aspWA 91 (6/1995): Over the next year readers should be on the lookout for some of the 1,000 case production of Don Bryant's Cabernet Sauvignon from an old vineyard on Pritchard Hill near the Chappellet Vineyard. Bryant's 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon offers an impressive black/purple color, rusty tannin, immense concentration, full body, and enormous richness in the finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BryantFamilyVineyard.aspWA 91 (6/1995): Over the next year readers should be on the lookout for some of the 1,000 case production of Don Bryant's Cabernet Sauvignon from an old vineyard on Pritchard Hill near the Chappellet Vineyard. Bryant's 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon offers an impressive black/purple color, rusty tannin, immense concentration, full body, and enormous richness in the finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BryantFamilyVineyard.aspWA 91 (6/1995): Over the next year readers should be on the lookout for some of the 1,000 case production of Don Bryant's Cabernet Sauvignon from an old vineyard on Pritchard Hill near the Chappellet Vineyard. Bryant's 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon offers an impressive black/purple color, rusty tannin, immense concentration, full body, and enormous richness in the finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BryantFamilyVineyard.aspWA 91 (6/1995): Over the next year readers should be on the lookout for some of the 1,000 case production of Don Bryant's Cabernet Sauvignon from an old vineyard on Pritchard Hill near the Chappellet Vineyard. Bryant's 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon offers an impressive black/purple color, rusty tannin, immense concentration, full body, and enormous richness in the finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BryantFamilyVineyard.aspWA 91 (6/1995): Over the next year readers should be on the lookout for some of the 1,000 case production of Don Bryant's Cabernet Sauvignon from an old vineyard on Pritchard Hill near the Chappellet Vineyard. Bryant's 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon offers an impressive black/purple color, rusty tannin, immense concentration, full body, and enormous richness in the finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BryantFamilyVineyard.aspWA 96 (2/2005): The 2002 (800 cases) was bottled in June of 2004. It exhibits a classic Bryant profile of blueberries, blackberries, chocolate, and smoky notes (100% new Taransaud barrels are utilized), a full-bodied, powerful palate, great texture, tremendous purity, and a long, heady finish with high tannin, but it is well-integrated and sweet. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.IWC 94+ (6/2005): Saturated ruby. Sappy black fruits on the fresh, slightly medicinal nose; shows an almost grapey primary character. Dense, bright and full-bodied; offers an uncanny combination of weight and energy. This has superb fruit, given lift by floral, medicinal and licorice notes. A pure cabernet with terrific power and thrust, but without any heaviness. The very fine tannins belie the wine's serious structure for aging. Winemaker Philippe Melka points out that this is the second vintage to come from completely different vines planted in 1996 through 1998: different row spacing and row direction, different clones, different rootstocks.WS 92 (5/2005): Hearty and robust, with tiers of ripe roasted plum, currant, black cherry and cedary oak. Turns plush and reveals an even greater depth and concentration as the flavors linger on. Best from 2006 through 2012. 700 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BryantFamilyVineyard.aspWA 93 (12/2008): Made in a full-bodied, more masculine style, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon offers more evolved aromas of high class, unsmoked cigar tobacco, blackberries, black currants, earth, and underbrush. It is a deep, dense, ruggedly constructed Cabernet revealing powerful tannins in the finish. While outstanding, it is dwarfed by the monumental quality of the 2007. Give it 1-2 years of cellaring, and consume it over the following two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BryantFamilyVineyard.aspWA 95 (12/2005): This is one of the most exciting projects of winemaking consultant Mark Herold. Unfortunately, only 325 cases of the 2003 were produced, and there will probably be even less of the 2004. The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was superb from cask, is even more spectacular from bottle. Its dense, opaque black/purple color is accompanied by scents of graphite interwoven with creme de cassis, charcoal, espresso roast, and spice box. This layered, full-bodied, elegant effort possesses wonderful purity as well as definition. Bottled unfined and unfiltered after 20 months in 100% new French oak, it should drink beautifully for 15 plus years. IUWC 92 (6/2006): (15.4% alcohol) Saturated ruby. Very primary aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice and minerals. Sweet, fat and layered; conveys a very soft, rich palate impression reminiscent of high-grade merlot. Very round wine with exotic brown spice and chocolate flavors. Finishes broad and quite lush, with very fine tannins. WS 92 (2/2007): Impressive. Supple and harmonious, with rich, polished currant, herb, mocha and wild berry flavors that are intense and concentrated, offering power with finesse. Shows a dash of heat on the finish, but fans of full-throttle Cabernet won't be disappointed. Best from 2008 through 2013. 325 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Buccella.aspWS 95 (6/2007): Smooth, plush and concentrated. A multidimensional expression of Cabernet, with layers of currant, blackberry, plum and spice. Supple-textured, this keeps a focus on the fruit and is supported by firm, ripe tannins. Yet fruit glides through on the finish. Best from 2008 through 2014. 737 cases made.WA 94 (12/2006): The dense purple-colored 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon’s hefty 15.1% alcohol is well-disguised by classic aromas of white chocolate, black currants, blackberries, licorice, and coffee beans. This dense, medium to full-bodied, opulent, fleshy, powerful effort boasts sweet tannin and low acidity. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.IWC 91 (6/2007): (15.4% alcohol; includes 4% merlot) Bright ruby-red. Roasted dark berries, black cherry, graphite, dark chocolate and nutty oak on the nose. Smooth and sweet in the mouth, with the dark fruit flavors joined by smoke and earth notes. Substantial tannins show a slight dryness. Not the last word in complexity but there's more going on here than just fruit.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Buccella.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Buccella.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BuehlerVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Bunchgrass.aspWS 85 (10/1991): Has a tough, woody edge to the currant and plum-tinged flavors, leaving a harsh, biting, tannic edge. Seems tart and lean, but perhaps with time it will be more generous. The finish provides a nice touch of fruit. Drinkable now. 7,500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BurgessCellars.aspWS 89 (12/2002): Complex in aroma and flavor, with a solid, chunky core of plum and wild berry, cedar and tar, finishing with subtle floral and plummy fruit flavors. Tannins are a bit raw and rustic, but not out of line or balance. Should reward further cellaring.--'81/'91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BurgessCellars.aspWS 83 (12/2005): A touch vinegary, giving the red currant and cherry flavors a sweet-and-sour edge. Ends on a simple note.--1985 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now. 6,600 cases made. WA 79 (4/1995): I have rated the 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection as high as 85, but at present it merits an average score. It is lean, hard, tannic, and lacks flavor ripeness, depth, and extraction. The high tannin and tart acidity give the wine an attenuated style, especially in view of the deficiency of fruit. Readers should not hold their breath waiting for any miracles to occur.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BurgessCellars.aspWS 93 (5/2007): Polished, open-textured and refined, this is generous with its red currant, raspberry, black cherry and dusky spice aromas and flavors. The supple texture and graceful structure make this a winner. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2014. 350 cases made. IWC 90 (12/2006): (a blend of 63% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 6% cabernet franc) Good bright, deep red. Currant, tobacco, minerals, brown spices and a whiff of iodine on the reticent nose. Sweet but firm and youthfully tight, with distinctly wild black fruit and fresh herbal flavors and no excess weight. This, too, is a bit clenched today but the firm tannins are ripe and the finish builds impressively. (A second bottle, decanted for 12 hours, showed a bigger middle palate, with impressive ripeness and silky texture, and rated 91.) WA 86 (8/2007): The 2004 Red Wine “Tapteil Vineyard” is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Dark ruby-colored, it delivers a very good perfume of toasty oak, spice box, cassis, and black currants. This is followed by a moderately intense wine with ample ripe fruit, soft tannin, and a medium long finish. Give this solid effort 2-3 years to fill out, and drink it through 2022.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cadence.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cain.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cain.aspWA 88 (6/2002): The 1998 Cain Five (82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec) reveals a complex, evolved bouquet of licorice, blackberries, and subtle sweet oak. It possesses silky tannin, fine balance, elegance, medium body, and excellent concentration. Drink it over the next 8-9 years.WS 88 (5/2002): A dark, rich, meaty style, right down to the leathery game notes. There are plenty of ripe currant and plum flavors to fill in the gaps. Shows depth and concentration, with a gritty edge to the tannins. A good candidate for short-term cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through 2009. 4,290 cases made.IWC 87-88 (6/2000): Moderately saturated red-ruby. Aromatic nose of cherry, raspberry, smoke, licorice, chicory and menthol; shows both roasted and green notes. Nicely delineated and bright, but smaller-scaled and lacking real dimension. Somewhat skinny on the finish, with slightly dry tannins and modest sweetness and length. Still, this sample was more consistent than a blend of estate fruit, which showed a hole in the middle.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cain.aspIWC 89 (6/2003): Good red-ruby. Wild aromas of bitter cherry, gunflint, smoke, leather and iron. Juicy, tightly wound and penetrating but dense, with somewhat funky notes of currant, leather, iron and tree bark that call to mind a wine from the Old World. Finishes with firm tannins and good brightness and persistence.WS 88 (4/2003): Rich and focused, with herb, currant, anise, sage and cedary oak flavors that are balanced and long, and tasty on the finish. Shows complexity, with its mix of tobacco and sage flavors. Firmly tannic. Best from 2004 through 2012. 5,130 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cain.aspWS 90 (5/2001): Wonderful integration of ripe, spicy black cherry, plum, currant and herbal notes, picking up a candied cherry and mocha nuance, before firming up on the finish. Best from 2002 through 2012. 900 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CakebreadCellars.aspWS 88 (12/2010): Tightly wound, firm and tannic, with complex aromas and dense loam, earth, dried currant, sage, mineral and graphite. Full-bodied, focused and long and persistent on the finish, ending with a dash of black licorice. Best from 2011 through 2017. 600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CakebreadCellars.aspWS 87 (6/2000): Smooth and soft, with herb-laced cherry, blackberry, plum jam and cedar flavors, turning diffuse and simple. Drink now through 2004. 150 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CakebreadCellars.aspWS 87 (6/2000): Smooth and soft, with herb-laced cherry, blackberry, plum jam and cedar flavors, turning diffuse and simple. Drink now through 2004. 150 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CakebreadCellars.aspIWC 89 (12/2010): Greenish gold. Ripe pit fruits and melon on the nose. Supple, sappy and precise, offering lively honeydew and white peach flavors, with a touch of orange. A fruit-dominated, juicy wine that finishes with very good breadth and cling. This would be a great by-the-glass wine.WS 87 (12/2010): Racy, snappy tropical fruit is fresh and vibrant in this clean white, with lively acidity. Drink now through 2015. 11,400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Calera.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Calera.aspWA 94 (12/2008): A fabulous Petite Sirah, Caliban’s 2004 rivals the finest Napa examples of this underrated varietal. An inky/blue/purple hue is followed by aromas and flavors of creosote, graphite, blueberries, blackberries, and brioche. The wine is full-bodied with fabulous pure fruit that cascades over the palate in layer upon layer. There is plenty of tannin, but most of it is buried under the extravagant display of fruit and glycerin. This 2004 should drink well for 20-25 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caliban.aspWS 95 (3/2002): Rich, ripe and concentrated, bursting with plum, blueberry and currant aromas and flavors laced with spicy, chocolaty oak that echoes vanilla and cinnamon on the long finish. Keeps pumping out the flavor for minutes on end. A really classy mouthful; should develop and soften.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cardinale.aspWA 89 (12/1994): The turn-around in quality of this winery's red wines is profoundly obvious when tasting the new vintages of the Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the proprietary wine called Cardinale. The luxury-priced Cardinale has been disappointing - until 1991. Yes, I know the wine has received rave reviews from the West Coast wine press, but all readers need do is go back and taste it in vintages such as 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990. They offer an objective lesson in California's oenologically correct winemaking. Today, all of these wines taste too acidic, are devoid of any aromatic development, and texturally are compact and attenuated. Beginning in 1991, the wines reveal far less acidity, a more natural, layered taste, and elegance allied to considerable richness. The Cardinale is not meant to have the blockbuster, juicy, succulent fruitiness of the Grand Reserve, so readers should not expect it to be as ostentatious. The 1991 Cardinale (to be released in early 1995) should drink well for 15 or more years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cardinale.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomCarneros.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CarnerosCreekWinery.aspWS 88 (11/1992): Lean and firm, showing mostly oak and spice up front, with just a hint of currant-tinged flavor, but becomes more interesting on the finish, where bay leaf and cherry flavors come through. Drink now through 1999.WA 85 (10/1993): Few wineries in the world can boast such an enviable record of consistent excellence as that of Caymus. There is no doubting that Cabernet Sauvignon is King at Caymus. For nearly twenty years this winery has excelled at producing boldly-flavored, ripe, concentrated regular bottlings and lavishly-oaked, big, spicy, luxury-priced Special Selection offerings. The regular bottling went through a shaky period with the so-so years of 1988 and 1989, but based on barrel samples of the 1992 and 1991, Caymus has two winners for this reasonably-priced, rich, oaky, cassis-scented, medium to full-bodied, supple-textured wine.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 90 (1/2000): Attractive creamy, toasty oak up-front, with supple currant and black cherry folding in beneath. Though it remains complex on the finish, it comes up shy in depth and added dimensions compared with previous vintages. Grapes are from the sources normally used for the Special Selection, which was not made in '96. Drink now through 2007. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 26,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 91 (7/2001): Rich and exotic, with layers of currant, black cherry, espresso, mocha, mineral and herb. Turns supple, all the while maintaining its firm and youthful tannic structure. Drink now through 2009. 18,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 92 (6/2002): Smooth, rich and polished, with a tasty array of currant, anise, plum and blackberry fruit that's sharply focused, with pretty, toasty oak nuances adding depth and dimenison on the finish. Drink now through 2010. 17,000 cases made. WA 87 (8/2002): The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a deep ruby/purple color, lavish toasty oak, and attractive sweet black currant fruit mixed with smoke, earth, and herb characteristics. Although the finish is angular, the wood too noticeable, and the wine lacks concentration, it is a solidly made effort, but preposterously over-priced. This Cabernet hardly represents cutting edge winemaking, but it remains immensely popular with most consumers.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 92 (2/2003): Packs in lots of ripe, rich, complex Cabernet flavors, gushing with ripe currant, plum and wild berry, turning spicy and revealing pretty oak and herb shadings as well. Long, smooth aftertaste. Drink now through 2010. 26,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 93 (12/2004): Lots of rich, creamy oak and a tasty core of ripe currant, plum and black cherry fruit combine to form this notably complex and concentrated young wine. Delicious from start to finish, with a long, fruity aftertaste and fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2011.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 92 (10/1993): Few wineries in the world can boast such an enviable record of consistent excellence as that of Caymus.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 94 (11/1986): (no tasting note)WA 91 (10/1993): Few wineries in the world can boast such an enviable record of consistent excellence as that of Caymus. No further tasting note.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 94 (11/1986): (no tasting note)WA 91 (10/1993): Few wineries in the world can boast such an enviable record of consistent excellence as that of Caymus. No further tasting note.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 91 (4/1995): Although outstanding, Caymus's 1985 did not live up to expectations in this tasting. It reveals a lavishly oaked, smoky, jammy, blackcurrant-scented nose, sweet, round, glycerin-imbued, full-bodied flavors, and excellent purity, ripeness, and length. Other bottles have been more concentrated and complex, but who's complaining? It was tasted in a flight with the 1985 Spottswoode and 1985 Joseph Phelps Eisele which may have overwhelmed it. The 1985 Caymus Special Selection is fully mature and capable of lasting 10-15 more years.WS 90 (12/2005): Mature red garnet in color. Aromas of sour black cherry, anise and blackberry carry over to the palate, where it's silky smooth, with fine-grained, integrated tannins. Finishes with a pretty sour cherry candy aftertaste.--1985 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 90 (10/1993): For readers lucky enough to find any, the dark ruby/purple-colored 1987 Cabernet Sauvignon offers an intensely fragrant, vanillin-scented, cedary, rich, curranty, sweet nose. The wine is expansively flavored, rich, medium to full-bodied, with soft tannins, admirable length, and a sense of balance. The style of this deliciously forward, round, tasty Cabernet might be fairly compared with Bordeaux's Pichon-Lalande.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 94 (10/1993): The 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon-Special Selection appears to be the best Caymus has produced since 1986 and 1985. Two thousand, six-bottle cases will be released in February, 1994. The wine offers a saturated, dark purple color, and a rich, spicy, oaky nose backed up by generous quantities of jammy blackcurrants. Ripe, highly extracted, and full-bodied, with copious amounts of sweet tannin and layers of fruit, this is a knock-out, flamboyantly-styled Cabernet for drinking over the next 15 or more years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 94 (10/1993): The 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon-Special Selection appears to be the best Caymus has produced since 1986 and 1985. Two thousand, six-bottle cases will be released in February, 1994. The wine offers a saturated, dark purple color, and a rich, spicy, oaky nose backed up by generous quantities of jammy blackcurrants. Ripe, highly extracted, and full-bodied, with copious amounts of sweet tannin and layers of fruit, this is a knock-out, flamboyantly-styled Cabernet for drinking over the next 15 or more years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 94 (10/1993): The 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon-Special Selection appears to be the best Caymus has produced since 1986 and 1985. Two thousand, six-bottle cases will be released in February, 1994. The wine offers a saturated, dark purple color, and a rich, spicy, oaky nose backed up by generous quantities of jammy blackcurrants. Ripe, highly extracted, and full-bodied, with copious amounts of sweet tannin and layers of fruit, this is a knock-out, flamboyantly-styled Cabernet for drinking over the next 15 or more years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 94 (12/1995): The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection (a February, 1996 release) is superior to the 1991 and 1990. The 1992 displays an opaque ruby/purple color, followed by huge, full-throttle aromatics offering a blast of sweet, toasty new oak combined with exceptional red and black fruits. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, with not a hard edge to be found, this low acid, fat, delicious Cabernet will be drinkable upon its release; it will last for 12-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 94 (12/1997): This hedonistic Cabernet Sauvignon's saturated purple color is accompanied by an exuberant, sweet, enveloping fragrance of smoky new oak, and jammy blackberry and cassis fruit. In the mouth, this lavishly wooded, black fruit-filled Cabernet is extremely full-bodied, with superb levels of fruit, glycerin, and extract. Like many 1994 Cabernet Sauvignons, it possesses extraordinary equilibrium, with the sweet tannin giving the wine considerable accessibility. The finish lasts for nearly 30 seconds. This will be a fun wine to drink young, but do not discount its aging ability as it should last for two decades._x000D_WS 93 (11/2004): Enormous complexity, depth and richness, with deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry, currant, anise and cedary dill and coconut scents, this is a powerful yet elegant young wine that is in peak drinking condition, finishing with a dash of herb and tobacco. Drink now through 2008.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 94 (12/1997): This hedonistic Cabernet Sauvignon's saturated purple color is accompanied by an exuberant, sweet, enveloping fragrance of smoky new oak, and jammy blackberry and cassis fruit. In the mouth, this lavishly wooded, black fruit-filled Cabernet is extremely full-bodied, with superb levels of fruit, glycerin, and extract. Like many 1994 Cabernet Sauvignons, it possesses extraordinary equilibrium, with the sweet tannin giving the wine considerable accessibility. The finish lasts for nearly 30 seconds. This will be a fun wine to drink young, but do not discount its aging ability as it should last for two decades._x000D_WS 93 (11/2004): Enormous complexity, depth and richness, with deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry, currant, anise and cedary dill and coconut scents, this is a powerful yet elegant young wine that is in peak drinking condition, finishing with a dash of herb and tobacco. Drink now through 2008.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 93 (12/2005): Sleek and well-structured, with a braid of exotic smoke, currant, green olive and herbal flavors that drape together nicely, holding a tight focus and showing how ripe, supple tannins can integrate without dominating. Finishes with a dash of mocha and spice.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made.WA 90 (8/1999): While it is fashionable to criticize this wine because of its price, and the secrecy surrounding the amount produced (who really cares?), the wine is unquestionably outstanding. The 1995 boasts a dark ruby/purple color as well as an attractive bouquet with lavish quantities of toasty new oak and black currants. There is moderate tannin, good purity, and an open-knit, sexy style. If the wine had not fallen a bit short on the mid-palate, it would have merited an even higher score. It should drink well for 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 93 (12/2005): Sleek and well-structured, with a braid of exotic smoke, currant, green olive and herbal flavors that drape together nicely, holding a tight focus and showing how ripe, supple tannins can integrate without dominating. Finishes with a dash of mocha and spice.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made.WA 90 (8/1999): While it is fashionable to criticize this wine because of its price, and the secrecy surrounding the amount produced (who really cares?), the wine is unquestionably outstanding. The 1995 boasts a dark ruby/purple color as well as an attractive bouquet with lavish quantities of toasty new oak and black currants. There is moderate tannin, good purity, and an open-knit, sexy style. If the wine had not fallen a bit short on the mid-palate, it would have merited an even higher score. It should drink well for 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 93 (12/2005): Sleek and well-structured, with a braid of exotic smoke, currant, green olive and herbal flavors that drape together nicely, holding a tight focus and showing how ripe, supple tannins can integrate without dominating. Finishes with a dash of mocha and spice.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made.WA 90 (8/1999): While it is fashionable to criticize this wine because of its price, and the secrecy surrounding the amount produced (who really cares?), the wine is unquestionably outstanding. The 1995 boasts a dark ruby/purple color as well as an attractive bouquet with lavish quantities of toasty new oak and black currants. There is moderate tannin, good purity, and an open-knit, sexy style. If the wine had not fallen a bit short on the mid-palate, it would have merited an even higher score. It should drink well for 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 93 (12/2005): Sleek and well-structured, with a braid of exotic smoke, currant, green olive and herbal flavors that drape together nicely, holding a tight focus and showing how ripe, supple tannins can integrate without dominating. Finishes with a dash of mocha and spice.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made.WA 90 (8/1999): While it is fashionable to criticize this wine because of its price, and the secrecy surrounding the amount produced (who really cares?), the wine is unquestionably outstanding. The 1995 boasts a dark ruby/purple color as well as an attractive bouquet with lavish quantities of toasty new oak and black currants. There is moderate tannin, good purity, and an open-knit, sexy style. If the wine had not fallen a bit short on the mid-palate, it would have merited an even higher score. It should drink well for 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 93 (12/2005): Sleek and well-structured, with a braid of exotic smoke, currant, green olive and herbal flavors that drape together nicely, holding a tight focus and showing how ripe, supple tannins can integrate without dominating. Finishes with a dash of mocha and spice.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made.WA 90 (8/1999): While it is fashionable to criticize this wine because of its price, and the secrecy surrounding the amount produced (who really cares?), the wine is unquestionably outstanding. The 1995 boasts a dark ruby/purple color as well as an attractive bouquet with lavish quantities of toasty new oak and black currants. There is moderate tannin, good purity, and an open-knit, sexy style. If the wine had not fallen a bit short on the mid-palate, it would have merited an even higher score. It should drink well for 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspIWC 93 (12/2000): Bright ruby. Cassis, violet and lightly tarry, spicy oak. Ripe, dense and very concentrated; thick and deep. Not at all overly sweet or dominated by the wood. Has superb material and verve. Finishes very long, with thoroughly ripe tanninhttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 91 (10/31/2001) Ripe, rich and complex, with layers of juicy plum, blackberry, anise, coffee and wild berry. Turns supple, with a sense of elegance and finesse. Firms up on the finish, where the tannins fold in. Best from 2002 through 2008. IWC 88 (12/2001): Deep ruby-red. Cassis, peat, licorice, menthol and a whiff of green pepper on the nose. A juicy wine with good texture and extract, but not yet showing a lot of flavor development or personality. Finishes with firm, slightly dry tannins and licorice and herbal notes.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 95 (8/2002): Dark, rich and intense, a vibrant, deeply concentrated and firmly tannic style. Young and tight, this wine packs in lots of rich, chocolaty plum, black currant, cherry, anise and sage and herbal flavors. Really revs up the flavors on the finish, with unfolding layers of complexity and depth. Best from 2004 through 2014.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 92 (5/2003) Richly flavored and beautifully crafted, with well-defined currant, cassis, blackberry and plummy Cabernet flavors that are mouthcoating, finishing with intricate coffee, mocha and pencil lead flavors. Big, ripe tannins are firm but polished. Best from 2004 through 2012. 2,600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 92 (5/2003) Richly flavored and beautifully crafted, with well-defined currant, cassis, blackberry and plummy Cabernet flavors that are mouthcoating, finishing with intricate coffee, mocha and pencil lead flavors. Big, ripe tannins are firm but polished. Best from 2004 through 2012. 2,600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 96 (6/2011): Caymus has been around for so long there is a tendency to under-estimate their wines. However, they have a brilliant track record as evidenced by the decade old 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection. Abundant chocolaty, black currant, licorice and coffee aromas soar from the glass of this perfumed wine. It exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, wonderful opulence, a deep, full-bodied mouthfeel, fabulous depth and not a hard edge to be found. While seemingly fully mature, the supple tannins, expansive fruit and glycerin, depth and overall balance suggest it will keep for another 15+ years. WS 95 (6/2004): Lots of aromatic complexity, with ripe plum, blackberry, mineral, slate and cedary oak flavors that are rich and concentrated, with ripe, polished tannins and a long, full-bodied finish that echoes mocha and berry flavors. Keeps revealing vivid and thick flavor nuances. Another amazing Caymus Special Selection. Best from 2005 through 2013.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 96 (12/2005): A fabulous effort, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection boasts an inky/purple color to the rim as well as a gloriously exuberant bouquet of creme de cassis, graphite, vanilla, and charcoal. Dense and full-bodied, with fabulous purity, sweet tannin, decent acidity, and perfect equilibrium, this is a great Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 15+ years.WS 93 (5/2005): Rich yet sleek and concentrated, with tiers of ripe plum, wild berry and black cherry. Shows a touch of spice, sandalwood and nutmeg. The long, detailed aftertaste that keeps introducing new flavors. Best from 2006 through 2014.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 94 (12/2005): The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection offers up scents of licorice, black currants, spice box, and a hint of flowers. This deep, full-bodied, chunky 2003 should last for 13-15 years. WS 93 (10/2006): Supple and harmonious, with rich, fleshy currant, blackberry, herb, mocha and dill. Picks up momentum and holds onto a tight focus through the long, satisfying finish, where the tannins are rich and intense, boding well for short- to mid-term cellaring. Best from 2007 through 2014. 9,800 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 96 (12/2006): The brilliant, super-rich 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection (this cuvee is now aged only 15-16 months in barrels compared to older vintages that spent almost twice as long in wood) boasts an inky/purple hue, and sweet notes of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, licorice, and charcoal. This dense, full-bodied, opulent, seamless, heady Cabernet is ideal for drinking over the next 15+ years.WS 94 (3/2007): A superb Cabernet that's ripe, plush and deeply concentrated, offering tiers of currant, plum, blackberry and spicy, cedary oak. Finrly tannic, lively and deep, revealing extra flavor nuances on the long, engaging finish. Best from 2008 through 2013.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 92-94 (12/2006): A barrel sample of the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection offers terrific fruit intensity and purity, a more laid-back style, a meaty, chewy texture, and impressive opulence as well as length. It should evolve for 10-15 years.WS 89-91 (8/2006) Intense and concentrated, with vivid plum, blackberry, mineral and fresh earth scents. The tannins gang-tackle the palate on the finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 94 (3/2009): Complex, riveting aromas of spice, cola and sassafras join wild berry, spice, black cherry and sage notes in this full-bodied, intensely flavored, tightly focused and very persistent display of fruit that's long and lingering. Drink now through 2017. 11,900 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWS 96 (7/2010): This firm, ripe, muscular wine that's tight, deep, structured, intense and concentrated, serving up a mix of ripe currant, cassis, plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's clean, pure, complex and layered, with touches of anise, cedar and black licorice. Ends with chewy tannins. Best from 2011 through 2019. 10,000 cases made. WA 93 (12/2010): The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection (100% Cabernet Sauvignon, now bottled earlier than in the past) exhibits an inky/blue/purple color in addition to sweet aromas of cassis, graphite, licorice, tobacco leaf and toasty oak. Bold, flamboyant and opulent, it should drink well for 15+ years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Caymus.aspWA 98 (8/2011): The 2008Armada Vineyard Syrah takes the longest to come around according to Christophe Baron. It was aged in puncheon for 22 months. Smoked meat, game, Asian spices, lavender, and blueberry are just some of the scents composing the wine’s aromatic array. In the glass it opens to reveal a pure, rich, elegant but powerful wine with a 60-second finish. It, too, will drink nicely for 10-12 years. I’m a bit cautious on my aging potential estimates because of the lack of a track record, but 10-12 years is a certainty in a cold cellar.RR 97 (6/2011): The most dense and compact of the ‘08s, with pure plum and black cherry notes intermixed with tapenade, herbs, bloody meat, and serious minerality, the 2008 Cayuse Syrah Armada Vineyard is a rock star on the palate. Full bodied and amazingly energetic and focused, with a thick, dense mid-palate, perfect balance, and a long, chewy, broad finish, this exceptional Syrah should evolve and drink brilliantly for 12-15 years, easily. IWC 95 (10/2011): Full red-ruby. Explosive aromas of black cherry, minerals, flowers, brown spices and pepper. Wonderfully dense and penetrating, with compelling sweetness to its dark berry and spice flavors. Finishes with silky tannins and outstanding length. Like a topnotch Old World wine in the way it spreads out horizontally to saturate the palate without leaving any undue impression of weight. The best yet for this bottling, from high-density vines (by Washington standards) planted in 2001.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.aspWS 92 (12/2003): Ripe, generous and distinctive for the herbal, soapy grace notes swirling around the rich black cherry and mineral flavors, echoing enticingly on the open-grained finish. Drink now through 2006. 87 cases made.IWC 91 (10/2002): Saturated full ruby. Blackberry, flint, pepper, spice and violet on the perfumed nose; has the rawness of young Northern Rhone syrah. Dense and spicy in the mouth, with superb flavor intensity and good verve. At once broad and focused, and far fresher than a syrah with a pH of 4.1 has any right to be. The firm tannins (and the inclusion of some stems) provide structural support. Finishes long and ripe, with a suggestion of roasted nuts. The most promising syrah I've tasted to date from Washington, in the style of an Hermitage.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.aspWS 93 (8/2005): Rich and sweet, silky in texture, brimming with spicy plum and berry aromas and flavors, finishing dense and powerful. Needs time to develop some grace. Best from 2006 through 2010. 198 cases made. IWC 89+ (12/2004): Ruby-red. Reticent nose suggests raspberry. Then superripe and juicy in the mouth, with penetrating flavors of raspberry and charry oak. Lively acids give this shape and verve. Very fresh, youthfully wound-up syrah with lovely lift and the spine to age. Tannins are firm but fine. I would expect this wine to merit a 90+ rating with two or three years of additional aging.WA 89 (4/2006): Blackberries, black raspberries, tar, and licorice make up the aromatic profile of the 2002 Syrah Coccinelle Vineyard (co-fermented with a dollop of Roussanne). Medium to full-bodied, broad, pure, and sweet, this fine effort offers excellent depth of fruit in its lengthy cassis-dominated personality. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.aspIWC 88 (11/2011): Pale orange blush color. Sexy aromas of strawberry and lees. Juicy, dense and very dry, with nicely concentrated orange peel and floral flavors. Perked up by some unabsorbed CO2. Not quite the cut or length for a higher score but very easy to drink, and food-flexible.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.aspWS 93 (8/2005): Broad and spicy, a lavish Syrah with bouquets of floral, exotic spice and espresso around a plush core of black cherry and dense plum flavors, which last and last on the expressive finish. Best from 2007 through 2012. 314 cases made.IWC 89 (12/2004): Full ruby-red. Aromas of dark berries, gunflint, dark chocolate and celery seed, with a note of woodsmoke. Concentrated, sweet and expansive, but without quite the complexity or dimension of this winery's other 2002 syrah bottlings. Notes of fresh and roasted berries carry through to the ripe finish.WA 88 (4/2006): Lacking the expanse of the Coccinelle, the dark fruit-scented 2002 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard displays loads of tightly wound blackberries. Medium-bodied and focused, it should be drunk between 2007 and 2012.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.aspWS 93 (8/2005): A very classy red, soft, silky, open-textured and ripe, with boysenberry, currant and delicately floral aromas and flavors, all lingering effortlessly on the harmonious finish. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2012. 162 cases made. IWC 88 (12/2005): (a blend of 75% cabernet franc, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 10% merlot) Full, deep red. Smoky, roasted aromas of earth, truffle, basil and nutty oak. Sweet, fleshy and plump, with rather wild flavors of spice cake, mocha and oak. Conveys a distinctly fat, oily texture and finishes with strong torrefaction notes. Includes a much higher percentage of cabernet franc than the 2001, yet this tastes riper than the earlier release.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.aspWS 92 (6/2006): Light and refined, with a strong minty note running through the raspberry and cream flavors, lingering endlessly on the polished finish. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2010. 140 cases made.IWC 90 (12/2006): Dark red. Deeply pitched aromas of smoke and beefsteak tomato. Fatter and sweeter in the mouth than the Widowmaker, with an impression of smoother acidity. Thick with material but quite meaty at the outset, with the fruit coming up only after time in the glass. In a very round, seamless style, and long on the aftertaste. Like the Widowmaker, this should be decanted for a couple of hours or laid down for three or four years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.aspWS 92 (8/2005): Big and rich, a huge mouthful of violet-tinged currant and spice flavors, lingering impressively against finely gauged acidity and firm tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2007 through 2015. 96 cases made. IWC 89+ (12/2004): Saturated ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry, cassis, mocha, black olive and menthol. Dense, rich and sweet, with juicy, penetrating flavors of dark berries, licorice, flint and minerals. Just a slight herbal green edge on the finish prevented me from giving this wine an outstanding rating. But this firm, still-tight cabernet may yet merit one.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.aspWS 93 (6/2006): Supple, plush and immensely appealing for its range of blueberry, plum and currant fruit, shaded with a relatively low level of spicy oak, lingering seductively on the round, polished finish. This one has refinement and grandeur. Drink now through 2015. 88 cases made. WA 90 (4/2006): Produced entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2003 The Widowmaker offers a nose of herb-laced dark fruits. Medium to full-bodied, dense, and boisterous, this outstanding effort is crammed with blackberries and spices. Projected maturity: 2008-2018.IWC 89 (12/2006): Dark ruby. Smoked meat and beefsteak tomato on the nose. Thick in the mouth but with strong, integrated acidity giving energy to the wine. Distinctly Old World in style, with primary fruit flavors emerging only after extended aeration. Finishes with a note of celery seed.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cayuse.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChaloneVineyard.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Chappellet.aspWA 90 (10/2010): Chehalem invests considerable effort into its white wine program. While these wines are not the focus of this report, they merit mentioning because every one of them is a very good to outstanding value.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Chehalem.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChChevalier.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChChevalier.aspWS 93 (6/2007): This medium-weight Cabernet delivers lots of flavor and complexity, with a range of cherry, currant and berry fruit that's shaded by light toasty oak. Hints of earth and spice fold in, but the dark fruit dominates the finish, with ample, well-mannered tannins. Drink now through 2013. 750 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChiarelloFamily.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChristianBrothers.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChristianBrothers.aspWA 93 (8/1999): Clark Claudon's 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a dark purple color, followed by a classic, Bordeaux-like nose of cassis, lead pencil, and smoky new oak. A wine of considerable complexity and elegance, with outstanding purity, richness, and nicely integrated wood and tannin, this is a classic, backward yet promising, symmetrical Cabernet that can be drunk early in life, or cellared for 15+ years. Impressive!WS 86 (10/1999): Herbal and earthy, the fruit tilts toward the just-ripe rather than the fully-ripe spectrum, with more sage, leather and tea than currant and cherry. Turns dry and tannic. Best from 2001 through 2005. 404 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Clark-Claudon.aspWA 93 (8/1999): Clark Claudon's 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a dark purple color, followed by a classic, Bordeaux-like nose of cassis, lead pencil, and smoky new oak. A wine of considerable complexity and elegance, with outstanding purity, richness, and nicely integrated wood and tannin, this is a classic, backward yet promising, symmetrical Cabernet that can be drunk early in life, or cellared for 15+ years. Impressive!WS 86 (10/1999): Herbal and earthy, the fruit tilts toward the just-ripe rather than the fully-ripe spectrum, with more sage, leather and tea than currant and cherry. Turns dry and tannic. Best from 2001 through 2005. 404 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Clark-Claudon.aspWA 92 (8/2002): Clark-Claudon's 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an opaque blue/purple color, and a sweet perfume of minerals, blue as well as black fruits. This medium to full-bodied offering possesses outstanding purity in addition to well-integrated tannin, acidity, and wood. Vintages to date have blended grace, power, and subtlety, resulting in extremely impressive Cabernets. Moreover, they are built to last. This is a brilliant effort from this up-and-coming Napa estate. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2022http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Clark-Claudon.aspWA 87 (12/2006): The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate displays a deep plum/ruby color as well as a sense of evolution. The nose offers up hints of caramel, plums, sweet red and black currants, and figs. Medium-bodied and somewhat light, it is pleasant, but somewhat uninspiring. It should be consumed over the next 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Clark-Claudon.aspWS 88 (4/1998): A lot to like in this wine, from its range of flavors--plum, cedar, black cherry and berry--to its supple and harmonious texture. While openly fruity and showy up front, it can age short-term. Best from 1999 through 2004.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosDuBois.aspWS 88 (6/2009): Delivers rich, spicy fruit flavors, with touches of green apple, melon and flowers. Complex and full-bodied, with an edge to the texture. Drink now through 2011. 8,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosDuBois.aspWS 90 (1/1989): Extremely rich and concentrated, young and awkward but loaded with bright, lively, sharply focused black cherry, currant, cedar and plum flavors that go a long way on the aftertaste. Plenty of tannins on the finish. Best after 1990.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosduVal.aspWS 89 (12/1996): Impressive for its richness, supple texture, ripe tannins and range of flavors, with bright black cherry and subtle earth notes, hints of anise, cedar and coffee. Has reached a nice drinking plateau but, given its balance and youthful flavors, it should age well for another five to 10 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosduVal.aspWS 87 (6/2000): Supple and elegant, with pretty plum, black cherry, cedar, herb and spice flavors, turning supple. Drink now through 2007. 2,186 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosduVal.aspWS 82 (12/2005): Tastes mature, with herb, cedar and olive flavors and a hint of sour black cherry on the finish. Sleek and well-structured, it comes up short on depth and concentration. No point in waiting.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now. 1,850 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosduVal.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosduVal.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosPepeEstate.aspWA 86 (8/2007): The 2005 Pinot Noir reveals more structure, tannin, and tangy acidity, but not the sweetness or breadth of flavor of the 2004. Interestingly, the alcohol is slightly higher, but the wine seems less accessible, more austere, but pure and structured. Additional bottle age should help, but the acidity and tannin appear out of balance for the wine’s modest concentration.WS 88 (9/2007): Ripe cherry, plum and wild raspberry fruit is forward, fleshy, deep and concentrated, ending with a dash of sage and mineral. Tightly wound. Needs time. Drink now through 2011. 800 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosPepeEstate.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ClosPepeEstate.aspWA 90 (12/2009): The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Summit Vine Ranch is a classic mountain Cabernet displaying copious notes of creme de cassis, licorice, smoke, incense, and charcoal. With full-bodied power, plenty of texture and tannin, and a backward, foreboding style, 3-4 years of bottle age is required. It should evolve for two decades. WS 88 (12/2009): Very tight, rich and concentrated, with a mix of mineral, dried currant, herb and sage. This is full-bodied and cloaked in tannins, but the finish gains complexity. Best from 2011 through 2017. 402 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Coho.aspWS 92 (6/1999): This red blend from Washington displays remarkable density of flavor on a sleek frame. A smooth and generous wine, its black raspberry, cherry, currant and coffee flavors wrap themselves seductively in a blanket of fine-grained tannins. Lasts and lasts on the finish. From the partnership between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Italy's Marchesi Antinori. Contains 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 percent Merlot. Best after 2001. 2,869 cases made.IWC 85+ (10/1999): Deep saturated ruby. Ripe, spicy aromas of blackberry, cassis, clove and dark chocolate, plus a suggestion of sunburned fruit. Ripe and smooth but rather featureless; offers a generic sweet grapey intensity but the flavors are a bit muddy. Quite tannic and somewhat dry and attenuated on the finish. For $68 I expect a bit more refinement and personality.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ColSolare.aspWS 92 (6/1999): This red blend from Washington displays remarkable density of flavor on a sleek frame. A smooth and generous wine, its black raspberry, cherry, currant and coffee flavors wrap themselves seductively in a blanket of fine-grained tannins. Lasts and lasts on the finish. From the partnership between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Italy's Marchesi Antinori. Contains 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 percent Merlot. Best after 2001. 2,869 cases made.IWC 85+ (10/1999): Deep saturated ruby. Ripe, spicy aromas of blackberry, cassis, clove and dark chocolate, plus a suggestion of sunburned fruit. Ripe and smooth but rather featureless; offers a generic sweet grapey intensity but the flavors are a bit muddy. Quite tannic and somewhat dry and attenuated on the finish. For $68 I expect a bit more refinement and personality.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ColSolare.aspWS 92 (9/2001) A particularly stylish red, rich and resonant, with a powerful mouthful of black cherry, anise, black pepper and cedar flavors, all echoing elegantly on the open-textured, focused finish. Best from 2003 through 2010.IWC 90 (10/2001) Bright medium ruby. Sexy, slightly sauvage nose melds black raspberry, minerals, leather, game and maple syrup. Sweet berry, chocolate and spice flavors are quite primary but already suave and complex. Creamy in the middle and very sophisticated, with solid underlying structure currently hidden by the wine flesh. Perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes very long, with big but thoroughly ripe tannins and firm framing acidity.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ColSolare.aspWA 91 (12/2002): The outstanding 1999 Col Solare is medium to dark ruby-colored and reveals spicy blackberry aromas. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the remaining 10% divided between Syrah and Malbec, it exhibits gorgeous breadth to its medium-bodied, concentrated personality. This well-extracted wine has outstanding depth of fruit. Intense, juicy, and powerful, it coats the taster's palate with blackberries, cassis, and spices. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2014.IWC 89+ (10/2002): Full medium ruby. Pungent, oaky aromas of black raspberry, roast coffee, mocha and root beer. Lush and smooth on entry, then rather tightly wound, dominated by its youthful acidity. A large-scaled, brooding wine that quite closed today. Finishes with firm, slightly drying tannins. Much less pliant at a similar stage of its evolution than the immediately seductive '98, but this may well merit a 90-point rating with three or four years of additional bottle aging.WS 88 (11/2002): Firm and focused, built for balance over power, with an undercurrent of black cherry and currant fruit running under several layers of dusky spice and dried herb notes. It all echoes on the chewy finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Malbec. Best after 2003. 7,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ColSolare.aspWA 94 (6/2011): There are 450 cases of this blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The 1999 Cariad has aged beautifully, revealing abundant notes of cedar wood, sweet blueberry and black currant fruit and camphor. Powerful and medium to full-bodied with sweet tannins, it appears to be close to full maturity. However, aging it another 12-15 years will be no problem. The wine is better than I initially rated it (91 points) and exhibits greater longevity. Drink this beauty now and over the next 12-15 years. IWC 93+ (6/2002): Medium ruby. Superripe aromas of roasted currant, black cherry, black raspberry, peat and licorice, all lifted by a floral note. Sweet, lush and pliant, with compelling dark fruit and licorice flavors. Finishes very long, with major tannins and a flavor of bitter chocolate. I slightly underrated both this wine and the Herb Lamb '99 a year ago. WS 92 (3/2003): Weaves together a complex array of spicy currant, blackberry, tar and cedary oak flavors that turn supple and elegant, finishing with a complex aftertaste accented by touch of mocha. Intense and concentrated, with a long flavorful finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2004 through 2015. 450 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, I originally rated this 650-case cuvee 94 points. It is a lighter, softer, more velvety textured version of the 1999. A dense plum/purple color is followed by sweet cranberry, black raspberry, roasted herb, coffee bean, white chocolate and subtle barbecue smoke characteristics. This medium to full-bodied, velvety textured, fully mature 2000 should offer beautiful drinking for another decade.WS 93 (10/2003): Enticing aromatics of blackberry, floral and mocha-laced oak, dark, ripe, rich and polished, with a tasty core of blackberry, plum and wild berry fruit. Smooth, with a long, spicy, focused finish. Tannins are well-integrated into the finish. Wonderful balance and harmony. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2004 through 2012. 650 cases made. IWC 92 (6/2003): (a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc; mostly from Madrona Ranch fruit) Good full medium ruby. Big, bright aromas of raspberry, bitter chocolate, minerals and smoke, with an intriguing suggestion of peat. Tangy and bright but also quite glyceral in the middle, with strong, urgent fruit and mineral notes. Energetic, pure wine, finishing very long, with ripe, fine tannins spreading out to coat the palate. A triumph for the vintage.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, I originally rated this 650-case cuvee 94 points. It is a lighter, softer, more velvety textured version of the 1999. A dense plum/purple color is followed by sweet cranberry, black raspberry, roasted herb, coffee bean, white chocolate and subtle barbecue smoke characteristics. This medium to full-bodied, velvety textured, fully mature 2000 should offer beautiful drinking for another decade.WS 93 (10/2003): Enticing aromatics of blackberry, floral and mocha-laced oak, dark, ripe, rich and polished, with a tasty core of blackberry, plum and wild berry fruit. Smooth, with a long, spicy, focused finish. Tannins are well-integrated into the finish. Wonderful balance and harmony. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2004 through 2012. 650 cases made. IWC 92 (6/2003): (a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc; mostly from Madrona Ranch fruit) Good full medium ruby. Big, bright aromas of raspberry, bitter chocolate, minerals and smoke, with an intriguing suggestion of peat. Tangy and bright but also quite glyceral in the middle, with strong, urgent fruit and mineral notes. Energetic, pure wine, finishing very long, with ripe, fine tannins spreading out to coat the palate. A triumph for the vintage.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, I originally rated this 650-case cuvee 94 points. It is a lighter, softer, more velvety textured version of the 1999. A dense plum/purple color is followed by sweet cranberry, black raspberry, roasted herb, coffee bean, white chocolate and subtle barbecue smoke characteristics. This medium to full-bodied, velvety textured, fully mature 2000 should offer beautiful drinking for another decade.WS 93 (10/2003): Enticing aromatics of blackberry, floral and mocha-laced oak, dark, ripe, rich and polished, with a tasty core of blackberry, plum and wild berry fruit. Smooth, with a long, spicy, focused finish. Tannins are well-integrated into the finish. Wonderful balance and harmony. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2004 through 2012. 650 cases made. IWC 92 (6/2003): (a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc; mostly from Madrona Ranch fruit) Good full medium ruby. Big, bright aromas of raspberry, bitter chocolate, minerals and smoke, with an intriguing suggestion of peat. Tangy and bright but also quite glyceral in the middle, with strong, urgent fruit and mineral notes. Energetic, pure wine, finishing very long, with ripe, fine tannins spreading out to coat the palate. A triumph for the vintage.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, I originally rated this 650-case cuvee 94 points. It is a lighter, softer, more velvety textured version of the 1999. A dense plum/purple color is followed by sweet cranberry, black raspberry, roasted herb, coffee bean, white chocolate and subtle barbecue smoke characteristics. This medium to full-bodied, velvety textured, fully mature 2000 should offer beautiful drinking for another decade.WS 93 (10/2003): Enticing aromatics of blackberry, floral and mocha-laced oak, dark, ripe, rich and polished, with a tasty core of blackberry, plum and wild berry fruit. Smooth, with a long, spicy, focused finish. Tannins are well-integrated into the finish. Wonderful balance and harmony. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2004 through 2012. 650 cases made. IWC 92 (6/2003): (a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc; mostly from Madrona Ranch fruit) Good full medium ruby. Big, bright aromas of raspberry, bitter chocolate, minerals and smoke, with an intriguing suggestion of peat. Tangy and bright but also quite glyceral in the middle, with strong, urgent fruit and mineral notes. Energetic, pure wine, finishing very long, with ripe, fine tannins spreading out to coat the palate. A triumph for the vintage.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, I originally rated this 650-case cuvee 94 points. It is a lighter, softer, more velvety textured version of the 1999. A dense plum/purple color is followed by sweet cranberry, black raspberry, roasted herb, coffee bean, white chocolate and subtle barbecue smoke characteristics. This medium to full-bodied, velvety textured, fully mature 2000 should offer beautiful drinking for another decade.WS 93 (10/2003): Enticing aromatics of blackberry, floral and mocha-laced oak, dark, ripe, rich and polished, with a tasty core of blackberry, plum and wild berry fruit. Smooth, with a long, spicy, focused finish. Tannins are well-integrated into the finish. Wonderful balance and harmony. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2004 through 2012. 650 cases made. IWC 92 (6/2003): (a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc; mostly from Madrona Ranch fruit) Good full medium ruby. Big, bright aromas of raspberry, bitter chocolate, minerals and smoke, with an intriguing suggestion of peat. Tangy and bright but also quite glyceral in the middle, with strong, urgent fruit and mineral notes. Energetic, pure wine, finishing very long, with ripe, fine tannins spreading out to coat the palate. A triumph for the vintage.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Initially rated 96, the 2003 Cariad is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. It does not have the intensity or exuberance of the 2002 or 2001, but it offers abundant notes of crushed rock and minerality intermixed with hints of smoky barbecue, camphor, asphalt, blackberries and blueberries. A more earthy/mineral-dominated wine with good acidity and a long finish, it has reached full maturity where it should remain for another 15-20 years.IWC 94 (6/2006): Good deep ruby-red. Aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, mocha and menthol offer great lift. Then superripe and densely packed, with great sweetness and inner-mouth aromatic character. The flavors of black cherry and leather are given definition by a strong element of liquid stone. Finishes extremely long, with lush, suave tannins. WS 91 (10/2006): Rich and complete, yet shows the telltale signs of the vintage with its austerity. Dense, with earthy currant, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's tight and compact. Finishes with tight tannins and persistent flavors that return to the currant and earth themes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2012. 500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Initially rated 96, the 2003 Cariad is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. It does not have the intensity or exuberance of the 2002 or 2001, but it offers abundant notes of crushed rock and minerality intermixed with hints of smoky barbecue, camphor, asphalt, blackberries and blueberries. A more earthy/mineral-dominated wine with good acidity and a long finish, it has reached full maturity where it should remain for another 15-20 years.IWC 94 (6/2006): Good deep ruby-red. Aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, mocha and menthol offer great lift. Then superripe and densely packed, with great sweetness and inner-mouth aromatic character. The flavors of black cherry and leather are given definition by a strong element of liquid stone. Finishes extremely long, with lush, suave tannins. WS 91 (10/2006): Rich and complete, yet shows the telltale signs of the vintage with its austerity. Dense, with earthy currant, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's tight and compact. Finishes with tight tannins and persistent flavors that return to the currant and earth themes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2012. 500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Initially rated 96, the 2003 Cariad is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. It does not have the intensity or exuberance of the 2002 or 2001, but it offers abundant notes of crushed rock and minerality intermixed with hints of smoky barbecue, camphor, asphalt, blackberries and blueberries. A more earthy/mineral-dominated wine with good acidity and a long finish, it has reached full maturity where it should remain for another 15-20 years.IWC 94 (6/2006): Good deep ruby-red. Aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, mocha and menthol offer great lift. Then superripe and densely packed, with great sweetness and inner-mouth aromatic character. The flavors of black cherry and leather are given definition by a strong element of liquid stone. Finishes extremely long, with lush, suave tannins. WS 91 (10/2006): Rich and complete, yet shows the telltale signs of the vintage with its austerity. Dense, with earthy currant, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's tight and compact. Finishes with tight tannins and persistent flavors that return to the currant and earth themes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2012. 500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (6/2011): Initially rated 96, the 2003 Cariad is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. It does not have the intensity or exuberance of the 2002 or 2001, but it offers abundant notes of crushed rock and minerality intermixed with hints of smoky barbecue, camphor, asphalt, blackberries and blueberries. A more earthy/mineral-dominated wine with good acidity and a long finish, it has reached full maturity where it should remain for another 15-20 years.IWC 94 (6/2006): Good deep ruby-red. Aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, mocha and menthol offer great lift. Then superripe and densely packed, with great sweetness and inner-mouth aromatic character. The flavors of black cherry and leather are given definition by a strong element of liquid stone. Finishes extremely long, with lush, suave tannins. WS 91 (10/2006): Rich and complete, yet shows the telltale signs of the vintage with its austerity. Dense, with earthy currant, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's tight and compact. Finishes with tight tannins and persistent flavors that return to the currant and earth themes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2012. 500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (12/1995): This up and coming superstar has fashioned an outstanding 1994 and an outrageously rich, sumptuous 1993. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard (which has been bottled and will be released in 1996) should turn out to be one of the most exceptional wines of the vintage. The color is an opaque purple. The nose offers up cassis, blueberry, black-raspberry, and toasty scents, followed by gorgeously rich, sweet (from extract, not sugar) flavors, full body, gobs of glycerin, and wonderfully ripe tannin in the intense finish that must last for 40+ seconds. It is an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon that will be approachable upon release; it will age for 20+ years. It is a tour de force in wine-making. It should come as no surprise that the genius behind these wines is Helen Turley. WS 94 (11/2003): Ultrarich, dark and chocolaty, with layers of blackberry, mocha, dill, anise and spice. Sharply focused, developing a silky texture, with a long, rich, detailed aftertaste. Right now the tannins give depth and structure.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2012. 400 cases made. MB *** (12/1998): Made by Helen Turley. I first tasted it when it was brought by a generous guest to a BYOB dinner in New York: very deep, velvety, immature; full of fruit; extremely flavoury and fragrant. An original flavour. Next at a wine department lunch in 1996 at Christie's Park Avenue- appropriately, for Ann COlgin used to work for Christie's before she later struck out as a wine auctioneer. Deep ruby; good fruit; rich, easy to drink but less good as a 'food wine'- which is one of the problems with these overstrung cult wines. More recently, still deep, with opaque core; very fleshy, crystallised violets scent; sweet, very rich and spicy. A bit of a show off. Impressive, but this is not my style of wine.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (12/1995): This up and coming superstar has fashioned an outstanding 1994 and an outrageously rich, sumptuous 1993. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard (which has been bottled and will be released in 1996) should turn out to be one of the most exceptional wines of the vintage. The color is an opaque purple. The nose offers up cassis, blueberry, black-raspberry, and toasty scents, followed by gorgeously rich, sweet (from extract, not sugar) flavors, full body, gobs of glycerin, and wonderfully ripe tannin in the intense finish that must last for 40+ seconds. It is an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon that will be approachable upon release; it will age for 20+ years. It is a tour de force in wine-making. It should come as no surprise that the genius behind these wines is Helen Turley. WS 94 (11/2003): Ultrarich, dark and chocolaty, with layers of blackberry, mocha, dill, anise and spice. Sharply focused, developing a silky texture, with a long, rich, detailed aftertaste. Right now the tannins give depth and structure.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2012. 400 cases made. MB *** (12/1998): Made by Helen Turley. I first tasted it when it was brought by a generous guest to a BYOB dinner in New York: very deep, velvety, immature; full of fruit; extremely flavoury and fragrant. An original flavour. Next at a wine department lunch in 1996 at Christie's Park Avenue- appropriately, for Ann COlgin used to work for Christie's before she later struck out as a wine auctioneer. Deep ruby; good fruit; rich, easy to drink but less good as a 'food wine'- which is one of the problems with these overstrung cult wines. More recently, still deep, with opaque core; very fleshy, crystallised violets scent; sweet, very rich and spicy. A bit of a show off. Impressive, but this is not my style of wine.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (12/1995): This up and coming superstar has fashioned an outstanding 1994 and an outrageously rich, sumptuous 1993. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard (which has been bottled and will be released in 1996) should turn out to be one of the most exceptional wines of the vintage. The color is an opaque purple. The nose offers up cassis, blueberry, black-raspberry, and toasty scents, followed by gorgeously rich, sweet (from extract, not sugar) flavors, full body, gobs of glycerin, and wonderfully ripe tannin in the intense finish that must last for 40+ seconds. It is an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon that will be approachable upon release; it will age for 20+ years. It is a tour de force in wine-making. It should come as no surprise that the genius behind these wines is Helen Turley. WS 94 (11/2003): Ultrarich, dark and chocolaty, with layers of blackberry, mocha, dill, anise and spice. Sharply focused, developing a silky texture, with a long, rich, detailed aftertaste. Right now the tannins give depth and structure.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2012. 400 cases made. MB *** (12/1998): Made by Helen Turley. I first tasted it when it was brought by a generous guest to a BYOB dinner in New York: very deep, velvety, immature; full of fruit; extremely flavoury and fragrant. An original flavour. Next at a wine department lunch in 1996 at Christie's Park Avenue- appropriately, for Ann COlgin used to work for Christie's before she later struck out as a wine auctioneer. Deep ruby; good fruit; rich, easy to drink but less good as a 'food wine'- which is one of the problems with these overstrung cult wines. More recently, still deep, with opaque core; very fleshy, crystallised violets scent; sweet, very rich and spicy. A bit of a show off. Impressive, but this is not my style of wine.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 96 (12/1996): The potentially perfect 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon is a totally dry wine, but the sweetness and taste of this wine's fruit is akin to a savory blend of a chocolate-covered, blueberry/cassis-filled candy bar and vanilla ice cream melting in the mouth. This full-bodied wine is silky, seductive, opulent, voluptuously-textured, and extraordinarily fragrant, expansive, and rich. In spite of this, the wine remains graceful and well-balanced, without any sense of heaviness, or obtrusive tannin or acidity. I clearly underrated the 1994 from my earliest barrel tastings, but the last two times I have had it, from barrel immediately prior to bottling and in bottle, have persuaded me that this wine is one of the most exciting and remarkable young Cabernet Sauvignons I have tasted! It should drink well for another 25-30 years. Damn, I adore this wine!MB **** (12/1998): Deep, rich; gushing scent, crystallised violets and taste. Unquestionably dashing and flavoury. Very tannic. I cannot resist seduction.WS 88 (11/2004): This has a unique, somewhat curious dill-scented aroma and on the palate the texture is almost more Burgundian than Bordeauxish in style. Still, the Cabernet fruit, with a mix of ripe red currant and red plum, is complex and polished, offering depth and complexity.--California Cabernet '74/'84/'94 retrospective. Drink now through 2008. 500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 99 (1/2000): Sadly only 400 cases were made of the 1997. The nearly perfect 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard was bottled in May, 1999, and appears to have recovered beautifully from bottle shock. Saturated black/purple-colored with a knock-out nose of blackberries, blueberries, lavender, licorice, and toast, this is a profound, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. It displays a seamless, velvety texture, layers of concentrated fruit, and a 45+ second finish. Am I being too conservative in not giving it a 3-digit score? Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025.IWC 94+ (6/2000): (450 cases produced): Deep black ruby. Crystallized black cherry, black raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, bitter chocolate, shoe polish and sexy oak tones on the perfumed, slightly floral nose. Supple entry, then quite unforthcoming in the middle palate. But already displays uncanny texture and depth, as well as extraordinary ripeness which somewhat mitigates this wine's normal impression of austerity. Distinctly Latour-like. Finishes with strong, tongue-dusting tannins and great persistence. A superb vintage for this boutique cabernet. WS 88 (12/2008): Well focused and holding up nicely, with a narrow band of dried currant, anise, sage and cedary oak. Supple, balanced and complex, with good length. Drying. Ready.--'97 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2011. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (8/2002): The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard is performing significantly better out of bottle than it did from cask. This 200-case cuvee spent 26 months in oak. Its opaque purple color is followed by a gorgeous perfume of graphite, creme de cassis, and licorice, and full-bodied, layered, concentrated flavors with superb balance and density. Surprisingly sweet tannin as well as an explosive finish have developed over the last year. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020+.IWC 93+ (6/2001): Full ruby. Flamboyant, pungent, sweetly oaky aromas of kirsch, dark berries, flowers and black pepper. Lush, dense and very concentrated; like a top Bordeaux from a very ripe year, this will depend more on its huge tannins than on its rather low acidity for longevity. The tannins spread out to saturate the entire palate. WS 87 (12/2009): Intense, dry, herbal and earthy, with dried currant, sage and dusty berry flavors that are austere and tannic. Though still vibrant, the flavors are muted. Tasted from magnum.—1999 California Cabernet blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. 200 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (12/2003): There are 360 cases of the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard. Chocolatey, blackberry, blueberry, herbal tea, and floral notes are apparent in this densely saturated purple-colored 2001. Thick, juicy, succulent, black creme de cassis and licorice-infused flavors proliferate. Sweet tannin, a beautiful texture, and superb purity as well as delineation suggest this stunning Cabernet may be the best Herb Lamb since the 1997. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (12/2003): There are 360 cases of the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard. Chocolatey, blackberry, blueberry, herbal tea, and floral notes are apparent in this densely saturated purple-colored 2001. Thick, juicy, succulent, black creme de cassis and licorice-infused flavors proliferate. Sweet tannin, a beautiful texture, and superb purity as well as delineation suggest this stunning Cabernet may be the best Herb Lamb since the 1997. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.WS 94 (11/2004): Beautifully defined ripe currant and black cherry fruit glides smoothly across the palate on a seamless, elegant, polished texture. Finishes with a burst of ripe fruit that stays in the forefront despite some pretty mocha-vanilla bean toasted oak. Fine-grained tannins preserve the ripe fruit flavors while giving it structure. Best from 2005 through 2012. 360 cases made.IWC 93+ (6/2004): Deep ruby. Aromas of black raspberry and bitter chocolate. Sweet, lush and dense, with powerful flavors of raspberry, blueberry, licorice and dark chocolate. Quite broad but uncompromisingly dry, like a Medoc wine. Finishes with substantial firm tannins. Comes across as distinctly less sweet than the Tychson Hill bottling.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 94 (12/2006): The dense ruby/purple-tinged, elegant 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb LaMB ***[*] reveals sweet notes of roasted herbs, white chocolate, and black currants, medium to full body, supple tannin, and a stunning, 40- to 45-second finish. Already approachable, this lovely Cabernet should evolve for 15 or more years. IWC 91 (6/2006): Deep ruby-red. Deep aromas of black raspberry and mocha, with a suggestion of maple syrup. Densely packed and sweet, with enticing flavors of raspberry, black cherry and minerals. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins. WS 88 (10/2006): Supple and harmonious, with rich layers of currant, spice, clove, cedar and nutmeg. Balanced, intense and structured. Complex aftertaste. Best from 2008 through 2014. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 210 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 98 (2/2005): The 2002 IX Proprietary Red Estate (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot) offers up wonderful scents of Asian soy sauce intermixed with creosote, smoked herbs, blackberries, and cassis. There is a Bordeaux structure super-imposed on a wine of compelling intensity, richness, and purity. Spicy, incense-like notes also emerge from this distinctive effort. Unlike the Cariad or Tychson Hill, the IX cuvee has a boatload of tannin to shed. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20-25 years.IWC 95 (6/2005): (from soil that Mark Aubert describes as "60% rocks") Good full ruby. Hugely complex, somewhat exotic aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, blueberry, plum, mocha, minerals and woodsmoke. Suave, lush, thick and seamless, yet with plenty of inner-palate energy. Very concentrated flavor of creme de cassis, with notes of exotic spices and soy sauce. Finishes with big, chewy, sweet tannins and great breadth. From vines in their third leaf, cropped at just a half-ton an acre. I underestimated this wine when I tasted it from barrel a year ago.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 95 (12/2005): The dense purple-tinged 2003 IX Proprietary Red (a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot - also a change from barrel) is a 1,280-case cuvee revealing deep, rich blue as well as black fruits, hints of licorice and creosote, a smoky, Graves-like, hot rocks character, moderately high tannin, and a full-bodied finish. Give it 2-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades.IWC 93-96 (6/2005): (15.6% alcohol; a blend of 64% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot) Saturated deep ruby. Roasted black raspberry and flamboyant chocolatey oak on the nose. Lush and seamless, with a texture of liquid velvet. Compelling, primary flavors of blackberry, chocolate and flowers. Perhaps best today on the huge, rising finish, which features substantial but utterly lush tannins that reach the front teeth and great lingering sweetness. This will be just the second commercial vintage from the steep hillsides around this mountaintop winery overlooking Lake Hennesseyhttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWA 94 (12/2010): Interesting French-like Syrahs are also made from the estate's steep hillside vineyards. The 2008 IX Syrah Estate is performing even better than it did last year from barrel. Juicy bacon fat, roasted meat, grilled herb and smoky notes are classic northern Rhone Syrah characteristics. A floral component suggests some Viognier could be co-fermented, but this is 100% Syrah. The wood is well-concealed in this full-bodied, delicious wine. It is capable of a decade or more of cellaring. IWC 94 (6/2011): Bright ruby. Knockout nose combines dark berries, white pepper, smoked meat, violet and flinty minerality; a real essence of syrah. Then sweet, round and seamless in the mouth, with superb concentration and a lovely light touch for such a rich wine. Black raspberry and licorice flavors are complicated by chocolate and meat nuances. Impressive Napa Valley syrah with a very long, subtle finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.aspWS 96 (10/2003): A gorgeous wine, ripe, smooth and harmonious, rich and spicy, with tiers of currant, vanilla, cassis and black cherry flavors woven together. Long, thick, persistent finish gushes with flavor. Plenty of smooth, ripe tannins add to its plush backbone. Best from 2004 through 2014. 400 cases made.IWC 93+ (6/2003): (100% cabernet sauvignon) Saturated dark ruby to the rim. Tight, pure aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and spices. Superripe and large-scaled but rather closed today; a wine of great fullness, with powerful flavors of black raspberry, shoe polish, licorice, lead pencil, minerals and dark chocolate. Not quite as showy today as the Cariad, but this big boy may ultimately be the greater wine. Finishes with chewy, ripe tannins and superb persistence.WA 92 (12/2003): The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard is classic as well as a pure expression of Cabernet Sauvignon’s creme de cassis, tobacco, cedary character. Expressive, rich, medium to full-bodied flavors, terrific ripeness, and surprising tannin and persistence are found in this pure 2000. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Colgin.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ColumbiaCrest.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ConnCreek.aspWS 88 (12/2007): Well-constructed, achieving a supple mix of complex flavors--built around ripe currant, black cherry, herb and cedary oak--that are deep and at times polished. Ends on an austere note. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2011. 3,755 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ConnCreek.aspWA 92 (6/2005): This wine was recommended, but no tasting note was given.IWC 90 (6/2005): Deep saturated ruby. Complex, musky aromas of black fruits, flint, tobacco and fresh herbs. Quite suave on entry, then musky and flinty in the middle, with strong dark berry flavors. Distinctly Old World in style: Guthrie vinified 75% whole clusters because he loves the aromatic complexity that the stems bring. Very bright, juicy wine, finishing with excellent aromatic lift.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CopainWines.aspIWC 90+ (6/2002): (from 34-year-old vines, according to Guthrie; fermented with 40% whole clusters) Medium dark red. Musky aromas of cassis, black raspberry, bitter chocolate, gunflint and smoke, lifted by floral and cracked pepper notes. Then surprisingly juicy and bright in the mouth; not particularly fleshy or big but intensely flavored and pure, with sound natural acidity. My initial impression was that this fresh, firmly built wine did not quite deliver what the nose promised, but it continued to gain in palate presence and nuance with time in the glass. WS 88 (5/2002): Earth, tar and stewed plum and cherry flavors are rich and focused, deftly balanced, with a texture that's smooth even with sufficient tannins to merit short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2006. 225 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CopainWines.aspWA 91 (12/2005): Guthrie’s ability to access Syrah from different micro-climates and soil bases is apparent with the 2003 Syrah Garys’ Vineyard. An opaque purple color is accompanied by aromas of dried herbs, blackberries, cassis, and smoky charcoal. Full-bodied, pure, and intense as well as elegant, it can be enjoyed over the next 5-7 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CopainWines.aspWA 96 (2/2010): From a superb site, the blockbuster 2007 Syrah James Berry Vineyard boasts an opaque purple color in addition to extraordinary aromas of creme de cassis, subtle smoke, blackberries, pepper, and bouquet garni, a fabulous texture, and a finish that lasts for 50+ seconds. This amazing Syrah should drink well for 10-15+ years.IWC 94 (6/2009): 14.2% alcohol) Glass-staining ruby. Vibrant red and blue fruit aromas are complicated by Asian spices, smoky minerals and potpourri. Strikingly sweet, with nervy raspberry and boysenberry flavors and an undertone of cinnamon, clove and dried violet. The floral qualities gain strength with air and carry through the long, sappy finish. Impressively pure and balanced to age, but already delicious. This wine was fermented with 75% whole clusters.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CopainWines.aspWS 89 (10/1998): Starts with lots of anise, plum and wild berry, then tightens up, turning crisp. Needs short-term cellaring to develop a little more flesh and body. Best from 1999 through 2005. 2,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Corison.aspWS 93 (4/1996): Smooth and polished, a rich and complex young red boasting tiers of spicy currant, cherry, toasty oak and cedar notes that fan out on the finish. Has major-league tannins, so cellaring is advised. Best after 1999. 850 cases made.WA 88 (4/1997): The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Beatty Ranch Howell Mountain offers an attractive combination of smoky oak, blackcurrants, earth, and spice presented in a medium to full-bodied, tannic format. Give this Cabernet Sauvignon another 2-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the subsequent two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CornerstoneCellars.aspWA 90 (12/2000): A backward wine is the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Beatty Ranch. Notes of new saddle leather, tree bark, and red and black currants emerge from this opaque purple-colored wine. Gritty tannin initially causes concern, but as the wine sits in the glass and on the palate, its substantial richness and powerful, full-bodied, concentrated style becomes apparent. Patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2018.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CornerstoneCellars.aspWS 96 (10/31/2000) Dark, smooth and chocolaty, with lots of toasty, spicy oak framing a core of earthy currant, black cherry, sage, dill and olive notes. Finishes with drying tannins, but the fruit keeps pumping through. Best from 2002 through 2012. 256 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CornerstoneCellars.aspWS 96 (10/31/2000) Dark, smooth and chocolaty, with lots of toasty, spicy oak framing a core of earthy currant, black cherry, sage, dill and olive notes. Finishes with drying tannins, but the fruit keeps pumping through. Best from 2002 through 2012. 256 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CornerstoneCellars.aspWS 96 (10/2000): An immense yet elegant wine--dark, ripe, rich, flavorful--with concentrated currant, black cherry, anise and wild berry, turning rich and polished on the finish. Best from 2002 through 2012. 850 cases made.WA 94 (12/2000): An explosive, succulent, disarmingly thick, opulent effort, the dark purple 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Cornerstone Vineyard is a hedonist's dream. It offers a combination of powerful black cherry and cassis flavors presented in a flamboyant, full-bodied style with extravagant layers of fruit, glycerin, and extract. New oak aging is noticeable, but its impact is subtle. The tannin is well-concealed by a wealth of fruit. Drink this beauty over the next two decades.IWC 85+ (12/2000): Bright ruby-red. Blackcurrant, bitter cherry, iron, mocha and menthol on the nose; as high in alcohol as this wine is, there still a suggestion of underrripeness. Dense and concentrated, with black fruit, mineral and black olive flavors. But ultimately shows more texture than real flavor development. A bit bound-up and sullen today. Finishes with dusty tannins.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CornerstoneCellars.aspWA 89 (8/2002): The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Cornerstone Vineyard is interesting and complete, with excellent fruit, depth, and texture. Aromas of cedar wood, spice box, leather, and black currants are offered in a medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, rich, heady style. This fine effort has good purity as well as some moderate tannin to shed. Anticipated maturity: now-2012.WS 87 (4/2003): An herbal style, with sage, and earthy flavors commingling with cedary currant and tobacco flavors. Fans of Bordeaux-style blends will find this more appealing than those seeking richer Cabernet fruit. Drink now through 2007. 995 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CornerstoneCellars.aspWS 91 (4/2005): Cloaked in rich, toasty, mocha-scented oak, with a tasty range of plum, cherry and currant fruit that is rich and complex, unfolding gracefully to reveal extra flavor nuances. Long, intricate aftertaste. New from Lawrence Cortez and Romel Rivera, assistant winemaker at Pride. Drink now through 2009. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CorteRiva.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cosentino.aspWA 91 (6/2002): The complex, medium to full-bodied, Bordeaux-styled 1998 Affinity offers impressive aromatics of blueberries, plums, cassis, minerals, vanillin, and graphite. It is medium-bodied and elegant yet powerfully constituted, with sweet tannin and a long finish. It should drink well for 10-15 years.WS 87 (5/2001): Teases with showy toast and vanilla-scented oak, which while pretty, doesn't quite compensate for the modest range of cherry and currant, finishing with a dash of anise. Tannins are firm and supple. Drink now through 2006. 2,345 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertCraig.aspWA 90 (6/2002): The opaque purple-colored 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder exhibits floral, raspberry, blueberry, and mineral notes. It does not possess the blockbuster richness of a vintage such as 1997, 1995, 1994, and 1991, but it offers medium body, sweet fruit, an intense mid-palate, and nicely integrated tannin, acidity, and alcohol in the long finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. WS 88 (10/2001): Well-oaked and elegant, with vanilla and coffee bean flavors holding the upper hand over the herb, currant and anise-flavored fruit. Well-tapered on the finish. Drink now through 2008. 1,500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertCraig.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cuvaison.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Daily.aspWA 94 (8/2002): The opaque purple-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts exceptionally sweet fruit as well as a tell-tale perfume of melted licorice, black currant liqueur, and hints of blueberries and flowers. This wine is long, ripe, and full-bodied, with the vintage's more noticeable, astringent tannin. It will be at its apogee between 2006-2021.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWA 94 (8/2002): The opaque purple-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts exceptionally sweet fruit as well as a tell-tale perfume of melted licorice, black currant liqueur, and hints of blueberries and flowers. This wine is long, ripe, and full-bodied, with the vintage's more noticeable, astringent tannin. It will be at its apogee between 2006-2021.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWA 94 (8/2002): The opaque purple-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts exceptionally sweet fruit as well as a tell-tale perfume of melted licorice, black currant liqueur, and hints of blueberries and flowers. This wine is long, ripe, and full-bodied, with the vintage's more noticeable, astringent tannin. It will be at its apogee between 2006-2021.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWS 93 (11/2003): A wonderful display of fruit purity, with floral, plum, grapey currant and black cherry fruit that's well-focused and supported by firm tannins. Finishes with a push of blackberry and lead pencil. Rich and concentrated while remaining elegant and refined. Best from 2004 through 2012. 2,500 cases made.WA 90 (12/2003): The dark ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied, stylish 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon offers sweet, loamy, earthy notes along with pure cassis, licorice, and spice box. It is best consumed over the next decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWS 93 (11/2003): A wonderful display of fruit purity, with floral, plum, grapey currant and black cherry fruit that's well-focused and supported by firm tannins. Finishes with a push of blackberry and lead pencil. Rich and concentrated while remaining elegant and refined. Best from 2004 through 2012. 2,500 cases made.WA 90 (12/2003): The dark ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied, stylish 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon offers sweet, loamy, earthy notes along with pure cassis, licorice, and spice box. It is best consumed over the next decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWS 93 (11/2003): A wonderful display of fruit purity, with floral, plum, grapey currant and black cherry fruit that's well-focused and supported by firm tannins. Finishes with a push of blackberry and lead pencil. Rich and concentrated while remaining elegant and refined. Best from 2004 through 2012. 2,500 cases made.WA 90 (12/2003): The dark ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied, stylish 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon offers sweet, loamy, earthy notes along with pure cassis, licorice, and spice box. It is best consumed over the next decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWA 98 (10/1996): The Maya Proprietary red wine is usually a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc and 55% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1993 Maya is awesome. The opaque purple color accompanies a bouquet of stony, jammy cassis, roasted herbs, and smoky, meaty scents that are just beginning to unfold and soar from the glass. The wine possesses unbelievable concentration, powerful tannin, and a finish that lasts for 45+ seconds. It is an extraordinarily well-endowed and well-balanced wine that requires 5-7 years of cellaring. It will age effortlessly through the first 25 years of the next century. The 1993s and 1994s are in bottle, and the 1993s, which were released several months ago, are disappearing before any bottles hit the retail shelf. Readers who could neither afford nor find the Cabernet Sauvignon or Maya Proprietary Red, will have to wait another ten months for the release of the 1994s. Production at Dalla Valle has dropped, largely because of the phylloxera damage to the vineyard, and the consequent replanting. For example, the production in 1993 was 40% less than that in 1992. The quantities of wine in 1994 will be equally small. Not until the late nineties is production expected to return to its former level.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWS 85 (9/1998): Openly fruity, with ripe, juicy black cherry and wild berry flavors, it's the best Pietre Rosse yet; all from Napa Valley grapes, unlike prior efforts which were blends from California and Italy. Only available in California and via the winery's mailing list. Drink now through 2000. 600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWS 85 (9/1998): Openly fruity, with ripe, juicy black cherry and wild berry flavors, it's the best Pietre Rosse yet; all from Napa Valley grapes, unlike prior efforts which were blends from California and Italy. Only available in California and via the winery's mailing list. Drink now through 2000. 600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspWS 85 (9/1998): Openly fruity, with ripe, juicy black cherry and wild berry flavors, it's the best Pietre Rosse yet; all from Napa Valley grapes, unlike prior efforts which were blends from California and Italy. Only available in California and via the winery's mailing list. Drink now through 2000. 600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DallaValle.aspIWC 99 (6/2006): (a blend of fruit from the estate halfway up Howell Mountain and from Stagecoach Vineyard above Oakville) Good deep red. Varietally accurate aromas of blackberry, violet and licorice. Supple and sweet, with modest depth and ripeness but an attractively soft, creamy texture and good balance. Finishes with supple tannins, good length and a note of menthol. WS 82 (12/2006): Austere and tannic, with dried herb, plum and sage flavors that turn dry and tannic. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dare(Viader).aspWA 90 (2/2005): A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by reluctant aromatics, which, with aeration, reveal notes of damp earth, underbrush, resiny pine forest, black currants, and berries. The palate offers savory flavors of berries, plums, black currants, earth, and spice box. Exhibiting medium to full body, supple tannin, a judicious touch of oak, and a long finish, it gains in stature and quality with each sip. While accessible now, this 2001 should evolve gracefully for 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Darioush.aspWA 90 (2/2005): A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by reluctant aromatics, which, with aeration, reveal notes of damp earth, underbrush, resiny pine forest, black currants, and berries. The palate offers savory flavors of berries, plums, black currants, earth, and spice box. Exhibiting medium to full body, supple tannin, a judicious touch of oak, and a long finish, it gains in stature and quality with each sip. While accessible now, this 2001 should evolve gracefully for 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Darioush.aspWS 91 (11/2005): Dark and immense, with deeply concentrated currant, plum and black cherry fruit that's accented by exotic spices and pretty toasty oak scents that unfold, revealing extra facets of depth and complexity. On the finish the fruit is still prominent with rich, chewy tannins and a dash of chocolate. Best from 2007 through 2014. 6,894 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Darioush.aspWS 91 (11/2005): Dark and immense, with deeply concentrated currant, plum and black cherry fruit that's accented by exotic spices and pretty toasty oak scents that unfold, revealing extra facets of depth and complexity. On the finish the fruit is still prominent with rich, chewy tannins and a dash of chocolate. Best from 2007 through 2014. 6,894 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Darioush.aspWS 90 (2/2008): Alluring for its creamy flavors and texture, with a mix of fresh, snappy currant, anise, blackberry and toasty mocha-laced oak. Firms up on the finish, where the minerally notes provide a cleansing aftertaste. Drink now through 2012. 1,478 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/JDavies.aspWS 91 (10/2008): Ripe and fleshy, with a zesty core of red and black cherry, currant and cranberry notes that are pure and focused, showing a dusty, minerally edge and ending with nicely structured tannins. Tempting now. Decant. Best from 2010 through 2017. 1,826 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/JDavies.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavisFamilyVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DavisFamilyVineyards.aspWS 88 (5/1995): Ripe, supple and elegant, presenting a rich core of currant, herb, mineral and toasty oak, all well proportioned. The finish provides rich tannins and fine length. 1,100 cases made.WA 85 (6/1995): The 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon is leaner than the 1992. It possesses higher acidity, as well as more herbal characteristics. Dehlinger has experimented with Cabernet Franc, which I have found to be of average quality. The herbaceous 1992 will be their last vintage of that varietal. On the other hand, the winery is doing an increasingly fine job with Cabernet.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspWA 90 (12/1996): he opaque purple-colored, dense, chewy, full-bodied 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon is more tannic and structured when tasted next to the 1994 and 1995. Although lacking some of the 1994's and 1995's velvety texture, it remains a well-made, large-scaled, well-endowed Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next two decades. The Cabernet Sauvignons are made in small quantities (250 cases for the 1993 and 400-500 cases for the 1994 and 1995) and see one-third new oak casks. They are dense purple-colored, with ripe, sweet fruit, plenty of body, and 15-20 years of aging potential. It is hard to pick a favorite among the 1993, 1994, and 1995, although my instincts suggest the 1995 is going to ultimately emerge with a score several points higher than the 1993 or 1994. This winery has been producing some dazzling Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet/Merlot blends that would fare well against some of the most expensive proprietary reds of northern California. For obvious reasons, Dehlinger Winery garners most of its praise because of its Russian River Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but the Cabernet and Cabernet/Merlot blend should not be ignored. As readers undoubtedly realize, $20-$25 does not buy too many great Cabernet Sauvignons or proprietary red wines in 1996, but it does at Dehlinger.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspIWC 89 [+?] (6/2004): Bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, cassis, mocha and nutty oak on the nose. Concentrated and nicely sweet, with juicy dark berry flavors and very firm backbone. A bit clenched but seems unusually successful for this bottling. Finishes with substantial building tannins that call for at least three or four years of additional bottle aging. WA 88 (2/2005): The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon has a dark ruby/purple color, a certain smoky, earthy nose with distinctive notes of licorice, underbrush, cedar, and black currant. It has a very linear, Bordeaux-like structure to it, and is certainly not the typical fruit-forward, plump, and flashy Cabernet Sauvignon one often sees from California’s North Coast. I would give it 3-4 years of bottle age, as it is certainly capable of lasting 12-14 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspWA 90 (12/2007): Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2004 Claret is a selection of the less concentrated cuvees that are not from the finest hilltop parcels. Soft, elegant, and fruity, it reveals abundant amounts of black currant fruit intermixed with sweet cedar and spice. An elegant, Bordeaux-styled effort offering ripe tannin as well as a long finish, it can be enjoyed over the next decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspIWC 90 (6/2000): Full red-ruby. Aromatic, complex nose combines sappy black raspberry, black plum, spices, tobacco and flinty, smoky oak. Lush, sweet and seamless; fat, pliant and full yet manages to come across as livelier than the syrah and the pinots. The palate-dusting tannins spread out nicely on the lingering finish. An excellent vintage for this release. WA 87 (6/2000): 1997 will be the last vintage for Dehlinger's Bordeaux Blend. A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it is a consistently top-notch wine. The dark ruby/purple-colored 1997 possesses medium to full body, coffee, chocolate, black currant scents and flavors, and moderate tannin in the pleasant finish. Five-hundred cases of this wine were produced. Anticipated maturity: now-2010.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspWA 90 (2/2005): The 2002 Pinot Noir Estate is a dense, structured wine. Ten percent stems were used in making this wine, where none were used in the Goldridge Vineyard. Perhaps it is the stems that give the wine more aromatics, more noticeable tannin, and more definition and structure on the palate. The wine is ripe and has wonderful earthy, sweet black cherry fruit and plums intermixed with a bit of Allspice and earth. It should drink well for 7-8 years.IWC 89 (6/2005): Good medium red. Spicy, nuanced nose combines currant, plum, loam, mint and licorice. Firm and spicy, with flavors of dark berries and licorice. Offers more cut and thrust than the Goldridge bottling, and finishes with firm-edged tannins.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspWA 90 (2/2005): The 2002 Pinot Noir Goldridge (named after the dominant soils of Dehlinger’s vineyards) reveals a gorgeous red apple skin, sweet cherry, strawberry nose with some spice box, cinnamon, and earth in the background. It is well-made, medium-bodied, displaying good texture, nice, attractive depth, and loads of fruit. Very seductive, this wine should drink well for 4-5 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspIWC 89 (6/2005): Good full ruby. Aromas of blackberry, flint and licorice could use a bit more lift. Nicely concentrated wine with flavors of dark berries and spices, firmed by sound acidity. Syrah in a rather polite style. Finishes firmly tannic, with notes of black fruits and licorice and a hint of dryness.WA 87 (12/2005): The current Syrah releases (Tom Dehlinger was one of the first to produce fine Syrah in northern California) include the 2002 Syrah Goldridge Vineyard. A 330-case cuvee from the lower slopes aged completely in large wood pungeons, it possesses a deep ruby/purple color, tart acidity, a narrow palate, and plenty of flowery, blackberry, and cassis fruit as well as hints of pepper and earth. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Kudos to Tom Dehlinger, a guy who seems to be content to stay under the radar and simply make an assortment of very fine as well as realistically priced wines!http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspWA 91 (12/2007): One of the pioneer Rhone Rangers (although he has rarely promoted himself as such), Dehlinger’s 2004 Syrah Goldridge Vineyard boasts a deep ruby/purple color along with a sweet perfume of bacon fat, blackberries, charcoal, and meat. Luscious, with excellent fruit, low acidity, and a heady finish, it will provide enjoyment over the next 5-6 years.IWC 88 (6/2007): Inky purple. Deep and rich on the nose, with powerful blueberry and dark cherry scents and a suggestion of iodine. Smoky dark fruit flavors are firmed by solid tannins and pick up a peppery note on the finish. This opened up with some air time, taking on a brighter red fruit tone.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspIWC 90 (6/2005): Deep red-ruby. Complex nose combines currant, black cherry, tobacco, mint, cedar, spice box and licorice. A firm wine with a restrained sweetness; nicely delineated flavors of black fruits, loam and spices. Finishes with a solid tannic spine.WA 90 (2/2005): The outstanding 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Bottling (195 cases) has a saturated bluish/purple color and aromatics of creme de cassis, creosote, smoke, and licorice. The wine is sweet, rich, tannic, medium to full-bodied, and more Bordeaux-like than Californian. I would have to give this wine 4-5 years of bottle age, as it should prove to be uncommonly long-lived – up to 20 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dehlinger.aspWS 87 (12/2002): A well-oaked style. The wood dominates. Fairly tannic, too, with creamy vanilla-scented oak holding the upper hand on raw, intense currant and blackberry flavors, finishing with sharp tannins. Drink now through 2007. 675 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.aspWS 93 (5/2007): Plush and fleshy, with spicy currant, wild berry, cedar and anise flavors that are complex and concentrated. Well-focused, elegant and balanced, this keeps the fruit at the forefront and ends with a complex mix of mocha, currant and minerally earth nuances. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot. Best from 2008 through 2014. 200 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.aspWS 93 (5/2007): Plush and fleshy, with spicy currant, wild berry, cedar and anise flavors that are complex and concentrated. Well-focused, elegant and balanced, this keeps the fruit at the forefront and ends with a complex mix of mocha, currant and minerally earth nuances. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot. Best from 2008 through 2014. 200 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.aspWS 88 (12/2008): Fresh, intense and vibrant, showing black cherry, currant and dusty mineral notes, with cedary oak. This is a rich, intense youngster that needs aeration and time. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot. Best from 2010 through 2015. 225 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.aspWA 88 (12/2000): The medium to full-bodied, dense 1998 Merlot Stanton Vineyard offers chewy, black cherry fruit intertwined with herbs, earth, and spicy wood, good ripeness, and an attractive finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.WS 87 (12/2001): Rich and concentrated, with currant, black cherry, chocolate, herbal and plum flavors supported by firm tannic structure. Drink now through 2005. 449 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.aspWS 87 (12/2003): Shows style and polish, with bold aromas of heavily toasty oak, cassis and espresso. The focused flavors would benefit from a hint more richness to flesh out the middle. Drink now through 2006. 850 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Delectus.aspWA 94 (6/2008): The 2004 Grand Ciel is the first vintage of this wine. It offers an equally expressive perfume with notes of spice box, tobacco, and leather. On the palate it is more forward than the 2005 with a bit more of an elegant personality. It should be in its prime from 2012 to 2025. IWC 91+ (12/2007): Good deep ruby-red. Darker fruit aromas than the Chaleur Estate blend: black- and redcurrant, boysenberry, graphite, minerals and sweet oak. Then deep and penetrating on the palate, with uncanny intensity and structure for a wine from young vines. There's a sappy, juicy quality to the dark raspberry, milk chocolate, mineral and tobacco flavors, thanks to excellent acidity. Finishes with silky tannins and lingering notes of blueberry and wild herbs. This is amazing for the age of the vines and clearly a vineyard to follow. (A second bottle showed a considerably stronger oak component.)http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DeLilleCellars.aspWS 87 (2/2001): Dry, earthy and leathery flavors dominate the currant notes. A rugged style that still might surprise if you can withstand the tannins.--California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2004. 883 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 92 (8/1994): The saturated ruby/purple color is followed by an intensely concentrated, closed, unevolved wine that is lighter than either the Red Rock Terrace or Volcanic Hill bottlings. Nevertheless, the Gravelly Meadow vineyard has produced a super-concentrated, rich, and potentially profound Cabernet Sauvignon if one has the patience to wait another 4-6 years.WS 90 (6/1998): Tight and well focused, with complex currant and berry-laced flavors that pick up intensity on the finish.--Diamond Creek vertical. Drink now through 2005.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 92 (8/1994): The saturated ruby/purple color is followed by an intensely concentrated, closed, unevolved wine that is lighter than either the Red Rock Terrace or Volcanic Hill bottlings. Nevertheless, the Gravelly Meadow vineyard has produced a super-concentrated, rich, and potentially profound Cabernet Sauvignon if one has the patience to wait another 4-6 years.WS 90 (6/1998): Tight and well focused, with complex currant and berry-laced flavors that pick up intensity on the finish.--Diamond Creek vertical. Drink now through 2005.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 92 (8/1994): The saturated ruby/purple color is followed by an intensely concentrated, closed, unevolved wine that is lighter than either the Red Rock Terrace or Volcanic Hill bottlings. Nevertheless, the Gravelly Meadow vineyard has produced a super-concentrated, rich, and potentially profound Cabernet Sauvignon if one has the patience to wait another 4-6 years.WS 90 (6/1998): Tight and well focused, with complex currant and berry-laced flavors that pick up intensity on the finish.--Diamond Creek vertical. Drink now through 2005.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 76 (4/1995): I have said before that 1984 was the last impressive vintage for Diamond Creek's Cabernet Sauvignons, but never would I have believed that the 1985 Volcanic Hill, Red Rock Terrace and Gravelly Meadow would show so miserably. The best of this trio (which is what I thought based on barrel tastings) is the 1985 Gravelly Meadow. Although there is a touch of sour milk and dirty wood in the nose, the wine possesses more fruit and ripeness, as well as an elegant, medium-bodied personality. The tannin is excessive, but it is better integrated than in either the Red Rock Terrace or Volcanic Hill. The hard, tough finish suggests the fruit will fade before the tannin melts away. For me, Diamond Creek's 1974s, 1976s, and 1978s remain among the most extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever drunk, making these performances shocking.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 92 (6/1998): Displays tremendous depth, richness and complexity. Youthful and vibrant, with currant, berry, cherry and spice. Has years to go.--Diamond Creek vertical. Drink now through 2004.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 89 (6/1998): An earthy wine, crisp and intense, this may well surprise with age. Has plenty of flavor and depth, but remains austere.--Diamond Creek vertical. Best from 1999 through 2005. 287 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (12/2002): Chewy texture, revealing a core of red plum and red cherry that's well-focused. Turns austere and tannic on the finish, so time is still on your side with this one.--'81/'91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 600 cases made.WA 86-89 (6/1992): The 1991 Gravelly Meadow, is the most backward of the 1991s, with less evolution in its attractive, spicy, earthy, elegant nose. Its medium-bodied flavors exhibit moderate tannins and clean, earthy, ripe, sweet fruit. It should be at its best in 2-3 years and last for 10-12.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 91-93 (4/1996): All three 1994s are backward, well-built, tannic wines meant to last for two decades or more. I suspect they will be among the least flattering wines to taste when released. The dark ruby/purple-colored 1994 Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a nose of loamy, dusty earth intermingled with scents of jammy, ripe black fruits and oak, full body, and layers of flavor. Although young and unevolved, it displays exceptional promise if cellared for 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 96 (11/1998): Healthy color. Mature, but rich and enormously complex, with an array of earthy currant, anise, cedar and herb flavors, turning smooth and supple in texture. Drinks well now but can age further.--1978 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2002. 468 cases made. WA 94 (4/1992): Very opaque in color, with an extraordinary bouquet of super-sweet, jammy fruit, cedar, herbs, wood, and spices, this highly extracted, full-bodied wine still displays considerable tannic clout, as well as plenty of alcohol and concentration in the long finish. Like other wines from Diamond Creek, it has thrown a lot of sediment, so decanting is suggested.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 92 (6/1998): Dark, ripe, rich and concentrated, with vibrant currant, black cherry, tar, sage and spice, it packs in lots of complex flavors. Still has a long way to go.--Diamond Creek vertical. Drink now through 2006. 970 cases made.WA 76 (8/1996): It is interesting that in all my tastings of Diamond Creek Cabernets from the seventies and early eighties, I never seemed to have a problem with either bottle variation or disappointing performances. In such vintages as 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1978 the wines are consistently magnificent, and, to my palate, among the greatest California Cabernets I have ever tasted. However, in the eighties and nineties, the wines have performed well below expectations. For example, the 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace reveals a leafy, vegetal, weedy nose, astringent, abrasive levels of tannin, and a stewed, gingery, fecal character to the fruit flavors. The wine is unusual, and seemingly troubled. The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 87 (6/1998): Austere, with a crisp, flinty, citruslike edge to the currant and cherry flavors. Still needs time; may surprise.--Diamond Creek vertical. Drink now through 2004. 570 cases made. IWC 81 (10/2002): Full red. Aromas of raspberry, menthol and bell pepper. Suppler in the mouth than the Gravelly Meadow but still quite green and minty. The finish began a bit finer but quickly turned dry in the glass.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 87 (12/1992): Although the 1990 Red Rock Terrace offers an interesting, spicy, smoky, sweet nose, fine ripe fruit, and considerable tannins in the finish, it displays neither the mid-palate or extraction of flavor I have come to expect from this winery. It should drink well for at least 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 87 (12/1992): Although the 1990 Red Rock Terrace offers an interesting, spicy, smoky, sweet nose, fine ripe fruit, and considerable tannins in the finish, it displays neither the mid-palate or extraction of flavor I have come to expect from this winery. It should drink well for at least 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 87 (12/1992): Although the 1990 Red Rock Terrace offers an interesting, spicy, smoky, sweet nose, fine ripe fruit, and considerable tannins in the finish, it displays neither the mid-palate or extraction of flavor I have come to expect from this winery. It should drink well for at least 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (12/2002): Decidedly earthy, with chewy currant, tobacco, mineral and claylike flavors, though it straightens out a bit with aeration, revealing a firm, tannic core of peppery currant and bay leaf. Reaching a good drinking plateau, yet with tannin to spare. Drink now through 2009.WA 85-89 (6/1992): The 1991 Red Rock Terrace reveals sweet, leathery, smoky aromas, an austere, Bordeaux-like palate, and a clean, medium-bodied, short finish. The somewhat cheesy, locker room scents, which are probably due to the fact that the wine needs racking, should not be present in the final bottle.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 86-89 (4/1994): After the less than inspirational efforts Diamond Creek has produced since 1985, the three cuvees of 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibit better richness, excellent purity, and deep ruby/purple colors. Nevertheless, for longtime fans of Diamond Creek Cabernet, weaned on the blockbuster, rich, occasionally rustic, but always individualistic and distinctive as well as super-complex and concentrated wines of the seventies and early eighties, there has clearly been a radical change in style. Although the wines may be more elegant and consistent, they are also less interesting. That is not to say they are not good, but anyone who has tasted Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, or 1978, as well as vintages through the early eighties, knows that when mature these wines are riveting examples of California Cabernet Sauvignon. There now appears to be an emphasis on a more sculptured, elegant style.WS 86 (5/2003): Well-balanced, but coming up shy of complex flavors, offering a subtle mix of herb, currant, leather and spice. Finishes with firm tannins.--'92 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2006. 750 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 93 (3/1997): A ripe, bold and generous red. Deeply concentrated with rich black cherry, currant, plum and wild berry notes, it's the fruitiest of the Diamond Creek Cabernets on release. Finishes with a firm tannic backbone and a lingering aftertaste. Try after 2002.WA 90-92 (4/1996): All three 1994s are backward, well-built, tannic wines meant to last for two decades or more. I suspect they will be among the least flattering wines to taste when released. Even more tannic than the 1994 Gravelly Meadow, but still impressively endowed, is the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace. The color is a murky, ruby/purple, and the nose reluctantly offers up jammy red and blackcurrant scents, along with mineral and vanillin notes. Sweet, ripe, full-bodied, but ferociously tannic, this is a wine to lay away for at least a decade. As a fan of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignons in the seventies and early eighties, I have frequently detailed my lack of enthusiasm for vintages after 1984. For that reason, I am happy to report that barrel samples of Diamond Creek's 1994s look to be the most reassuringly fine examples of this estate's Cabernets that I have tasted since 1984. Let's hope they put the wines into the bottle naturally, without excessive fining or filtering. Certainly the raw materials are very impressive.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 91 (2/2005): The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace (7 acres) boasts a pure nose of smoky creme de cassis and burning embers. Tightly knit in the mouth, with sweet fruit, a hint of vanilla, and the oak kept well in the background, it possesses medium to full body, a beautiful texture, and a long, pure finish. For me, the tightest of the three, but it is also impressive as well as outstanding. With a long finish, this pure wine needs 3-5 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020+.IWC 88+ (8/2005): Ruby-red. Inky aromas of raspberry and dark chocolate, lifted by a floral nuance. Juicy and penetrating, with varietally accurate flavors of currant, raspberry and mint. Rather austere, even a bit pinched toward the back, conveying an impression of brisk acidity, but there's a sweet core of fruit lurking. Finishes with slightly tough tannins.WS 88 (5/2005): Firm, intense and concentrated, with vibrant currant, black cherry, sage and cedary oak. Thick layers of fruit and firm, earthy tannins bode well for aging, though the tannins clamp down on the finish. Best from 2007 through 2014. 498 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (8/1999): Not showing the fruit complexity you often find in this wine; it starts out meaty and tight, working into currant and berry flavors.--1979 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2002. 1,100 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (6/1998): Complex, with a pleasant earthiness to the currant and spice flavors. Displays a claylike aftertaste on the finish.--Diamond Creek vertical. Drink now.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (6/1998): Lean and tight, still it slowly fans out to show complex currant, sage and spice nuances.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (6/1998): Lean and tight, still it slowly fans out to show complex currant, sage and spice nuances.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (6/1998): Lean and tight, still it slowly fans out to show complex currant, sage and spice nuances.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (6/1998): Lean and tight, still it slowly fans out to show complex currant, sage and spice nuances.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 88 (6/1998): Lean and tight, still it slowly fans out to show complex currant, sage and spice nuances.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 94 (8/1994): The 1984s appear to be the last of the big, bold, full-bodied, super-concentrated Diamond Creek. The wines produced after 1984 have been more polite and oenologically correct. What a shame! The enormous 1984 displays no signs of age in its dark, saturated ruby/purple color. The nose exhibits some evolution, with cedar, leather, and jammy fruit scents beginning to emerge. Still frightfully tannic, full-bodied, and highly extracted, this backward, chewy wine is one of the slowest evolving 1984s. After further cellaring of at least 5-6 years it should prove to be awesome.WS 93 (6/1998): A tremendous wine. Ripe, vibrant and fruity, with cherry, currant, anise, sage and cedar. Intensely concentrated, with a long and lingering finish.--Diamond Creek vertical. Drink now through 2006.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 90 (2/2001): Dark, rich and concentrated, yielding a complex array of currant, black cherry, olive, cedar and spice, finishing with supple but firm tannins.--California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2009. 981 cases made.WA 82 (6/1992): I expected the 1990 and 1991 Cabernets from Diamond Creek to perform better. While they are certainly good, they are much lighter than what one has come to expect from this winery. On several occasions recently I have had the 1978s from Diamond Creek, which are among the greatest Cabernet-based wines I have tasted from anywhere in the world. It is hard to believe these current offerings will ever approach the richness and intensity that this estate's wines exhibited from the seventies to the mid-eighties. Could the wines be going through a temporarily awkward stage, or are they being made in a lighter, more easily accessible style? The 1990 Volcanic Hill is much lighter than the 1991, with an oaky, spicy nose, simple, straightforward, medium-bodied flavors, and a surprisingly short finish. I would opt for drinking it over the next 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 91 (12/2002): This is a deceptively rich and detailed wine. Though it lacks overt ripe fruitiness, it adequately compensates with a mix of rich, earthy currant, hints of cherry and berry and traces of cedar, anise and tobacco. Firm tannins indicate a long life ahead.--'81/'91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2012. WA 85-88 (6/1992): I expected the 1990 and 1991 Cabernets from Diamond Creek to perform better. While they are certainly good, they are much lighter than what one has come to expect from this winery. On several occasions recently I have had the 1978s from Diamond Creek, which are among the greatest Cabernet-based wines I have tasted from anywhere in the world. It is hard to believe these current offerings will ever approach the richness and intensity that this estate's wines exhibited from the seventies to the mid-eighties. Could the wines be going through a temporarily awkward stage, or are they being made in a lighter, more easily accessible style?http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWA 92 (2/2005): The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill (also the 30th anniversary cuvee of this 8 acre vineyard) reveals a saturated purple color as well as an explosive bouquet that is almost medieval in its black currant notes intermixed with distinctive spicy, earthy, smoky characteristics. Medium to full-bodied and rich, with low acidity, ripe fruit, and a dense, layered, impressive personality, it is more backward than the Gravelly Meadow, less elegant but more powerful and concentrated. Its elegance will take longer to emerge, but it should certainly be there. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020. IWC 91 (8/2005): Ruby-red. Cool aromas of cassis, dark chocolate and mocha. Juicy, brisk and quite penetrating but distinctly suppler and sweeter than the Red Rock Terrace, with rich, layered flavors of cassis and blackberry. Finishes firmly tannic and long. This wine has much more breadth to buffer its tannins. WS 91 (5/2005): Dark, rich and chocolaty, with a dense, compact, concentrated core of earthy currant, sage and wild berry. Mouthcoating tannins persist on the palate. Definitely needs time. Best from 2008 through 2016. 573 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DiamondCreek.aspWS 95 (3/1998): (WS #5 wine of 1998) Smooth, silky, supple-textured and sweet, this dessert white overflows with lovely honey-scented pear and peach flavors that linger delicately on the finish. It's delicious now, but will deepen and enrichen further by 2000, so try to hold off until then. 1,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DolceWinery.aspWS 96 (9/2000): Absolutely delicious. Dessert in a glass. The ripe and rich fig, apricot, anise, vanilla bean, pear and butterscotch flavors of this Sémillion blend are thick yet elegant, accented by lively orange peel and citrus notes. Drink now through 2012. 3,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DolceWinery.aspWA 92 (8/1994): I have been fooled by this wine in blind tastings, mistaking it for a top Pomerol, although there is an insignificant percentage of Merlot in the blend. The complex bouquet of ripe, curranty fruit, coffee, and sweet black cherries has become increasingly complex and intense. Full-bodied, opulent, and soft, this fleshy wine appears to have reached an attractive plateau of maturity; it should easily last for another 10-15+ years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 91 (4/1995): The 1985 Dominus stands out for its smoky, ripe cassis, earthy nose, sweet, full-bodied, concentrated flavors, and opulently long, chewy finish. It was the most forward, precocious example of this wine I have yet tasted. Most recent tastings have suggested the wine needed further aging. This bottling exhibited the plush, velvety texture that proprietor Christian Moueix achieves in top Pomerol vintages. The 1985 Dominus should continue to drink well for another 15-20 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 91 (4/1995): The 1985 Dominus stands out for its smoky, ripe cassis, earthy nose, sweet, full-bodied, concentrated flavors, and opulently long, chewy finish. It was the most forward, precocious example of this wine I have yet tasted. Most recent tastings have suggested the wine needed further aging. This bottling exhibited the plush, velvety texture that proprietor Christian Moueix achieves in top Pomerol vintages. The 1985 Dominus should continue to drink well for another 15-20 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 93 (8/1996): I did not pick this out as Dominus in the blind tasting, largely because it came across as such a young, rich, blockbuster wine. One of the richest, densest, most concentrated offerings in the entire tasting, it also proved to be one of the best-balanced, with better integration of acidity and tannin than many 1986s exhibited. The color remains a deep, dark ruby, with purple hues. Dense, concentrated, and pure, with copious quantities of cassis fruit intermingled with earth, spice, and minerals, this large-scaled, concentrated wine appears to have aged at a glacial pace since I first tasted it. Accessible because of its well-integrated, low acidity, this wine should continue to evolve and drink well for another 15-20 years. Very impressive.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 93 (8/1996): I did not pick this out as Dominus in the blind tasting, largely because it came across as such a young, rich, blockbuster wine. One of the richest, densest, most concentrated offerings in the entire tasting, it also proved to be one of the best-balanced, with better integration of acidity and tannin than many 1986s exhibited. The color remains a deep, dark ruby, with purple hues. Dense, concentrated, and pure, with copious quantities of cassis fruit intermingled with earth, spice, and minerals, this large-scaled, concentrated wine appears to have aged at a glacial pace since I first tasted it. Accessible because of its well-integrated, low acidity, this wine should continue to evolve and drink well for another 15-20 years. Very impressive.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 96 (10/1993): There were 6,500 cases produced of the 1987 Dominus. It is one of the great wines of the vintage in a year when a handful of California producers made profound Cabernets (i.e., Robert Mondavi Reserve, Dunn Howell Mountain, and Chateau Montelena). The wine is beginning to shut down, but it still displays a rich ruby color and an intensely spicy, fragrant nose of toasty vanillin oak, cassis, and cedar. In the mouth, this medium to full-bodied wine displays considerable tannins, fine integrated acidity, and an opulent, rich, spicy finish. I would suggest cellaring it for another 3-4 years; it should easily keep through the first decade of the next century.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 91 (10/1993): The 1988 has to be among the top two or three Cabernets of the vintage. Other than 1983, the 3,300 cases produced in 1988 is the smallest production of Dominus to date, as over half the crop was deemed unsatisfactory. Twenty-five percent new oak was used. The dense, opaque ruby/purple color exhibits great saturation and intensity, and the nose is beginning to offer up smoked herb and ripe cassis aromas. In the mouth, the wine is deep, medium to full-bodied, with excellent concentration, and one of the longest, richest finishes I have found in a Cabernet Sauvignon from 1988. The tannins are noticeable, but softer than in the 1989 or 1987. Of all the current Dominus offerings, I suspect the 1988 and 1984 are the most flattering to drink at present. Nevertheless, this wine should easily evolve for another 10-15 or more years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 92 (10/1993): The 1989 is undoubtedly the Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage. The color is a dark ruby/purple and the nose offers up sweet, fragrant scents of black fruits, cedar, herbs, and spicy wood. In the mouth, there is extraordinary concentration, medium to full body, and an authoritatively rich, lingering finish. Terroirists will have a difficult time explaining why the wine tastes more like a Pomerol than Napa Cabernet. Interestingly, Moueix stated the key to his success in 1989 was to wait six to seven days after the rains had stopped before harvesting so the vines could shed their excess moisture. The 7,000 cases of this wine that were produced will be released in the fall of 1993.WS 91 (4/1999): Mature, with a Bordeaux-like cedar, tobacco and black cherry core. Tannins are integrated, and it has enough fruit and tannin for another decade.--1989 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2006. 7,500 cases made.IWC 89 (8/1999): Deep red-ruby. Initially rather mute nose hinted at roasted plum with aeration. Supple and ripe in the mouth, with Graves-like notes of hot bricks, tar and roasted plum. A wine of very good but not outstanding depth. Finishes with chewy, slightly drying tannins. May be at its best now, but should hold at this level for a few years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 92 (10/1993): The 1989 is undoubtedly the Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage. The color is a dark ruby/purple and the nose offers up sweet, fragrant scents of black fruits, cedar, herbs, and spicy wood. In the mouth, there is extraordinary concentration, medium to full body, and an authoritatively rich, lingering finish. Terroirists will have a difficult time explaining why the wine tastes more like a Pomerol than Napa Cabernet. Interestingly, Moueix stated the key to his success in 1989 was to wait six to seven days after the rains had stopped before harvesting so the vines could shed their excess moisture. The 7,000 cases of this wine that were produced will be released in the fall of 1993.WS 91 (4/1999): Mature, with a Bordeaux-like cedar, tobacco and black cherry core. Tannins are integrated, and it has enough fruit and tannin for another decade.--1989 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2006. 7,500 cases made.IWC 89 (8/1999): Deep red-ruby. Initially rather mute nose hinted at roasted plum with aeration. Supple and ripe in the mouth, with Graves-like notes of hot bricks, tar and roasted plum. A wine of very good but not outstanding depth. Finishes with chewy, slightly drying tannins. May be at its best now, but should hold at this level for a few years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 92 (10/1993): The 1989 is undoubtedly the Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage. The color is a dark ruby/purple and the nose offers up sweet, fragrant scents of black fruits, cedar, herbs, and spicy wood. In the mouth, there is extraordinary concentration, medium to full body, and an authoritatively rich, lingering finish. Terroirists will have a difficult time explaining why the wine tastes more like a Pomerol than Napa Cabernet. Interestingly, Moueix stated the key to his success in 1989 was to wait six to seven days after the rains had stopped before harvesting so the vines could shed their excess moisture. The 7,000 cases of this wine that were produced will be released in the fall of 1993.WS 91 (4/1999): Mature, with a Bordeaux-like cedar, tobacco and black cherry core. Tannins are integrated, and it has enough fruit and tannin for another decade.--1989 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2006. 7,500 cases made.IWC 89 (8/1999): Deep red-ruby. Initially rather mute nose hinted at roasted plum with aeration. Supple and ripe in the mouth, with Graves-like notes of hot bricks, tar and roasted plum. A wine of very good but not outstanding depth. Finishes with chewy, slightly drying tannins. May be at its best now, but should hold at this level for a few years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 95 (2/1997): In a blind tasting, both the 1990 and 1991 wines were identified as being French by all eight tasters. I pulled these wines from my cellar to insert as ringers, so I was particularly miffed at not getting their origin correct. In retrospect, I suppose I was somewhat surprised by just how great the 1990 performed in comparison with the profound 1991. I mistakenly thought the 1990 was a Medoc, with its cedary, spicy, tobacco, blackcurrant-scented nose, sweet, full-bodied flavors, high tannin, and low acidity. It is a superb Dominus that may be just beginning to close down. Rich and powerful, it is capable of lasting for 20+ years.IWC 93 (8/1999): Deep red-ruby. Knockout, Bordeaux-like aromas of cherry syrup, plum, chocolate, mocha and brown spices, plus a faint vegetal complexity. Sweet, smooth and ripe, if not quite as dense as the extraordinary '91. Excellent acidity gives the flavors lovely clarity. Finishes firmly tannic and very long. Extremely suave wine. WS 91 (6/1994): Deeply flavored, rich and complex, with tiers of currant, coffee, spice and chocolate. While it's young, intense and tannic, it's developing a supple texture, which allows the flavors to glide through on the finish. Cellar short-term. Best after 1996.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWA 95 (2/1997): In a blind tasting, both the 1990 and 1991 wines were identified as being French by all eight tasters. I pulled these wines from my cellar to insert as ringers, so I was particularly miffed at not getting their origin correct. In retrospect, I suppose I was somewhat surprised by just how great the 1990 performed in comparison with the profound 1991. I mistakenly thought the 1990 was a Medoc, with its cedary, spicy, tobacco, blackcurrant-scented nose, sweet, full-bodied flavors, high tannin, and low acidity. It is a superb Dominus that may be just beginning to close down. Rich and powerful, it is capable of lasting for 20+ years.IWC 93 (8/1999): Deep red-ruby. Knockout, Bordeaux-like aromas of cherry syrup, plum, chocolate, mocha and brown spices, plus a faint vegetal complexity. Sweet, smooth and ripe, if not quite as dense as the extraordinary '91. Excellent acidity gives the flavors lovely clarity. Finishes firmly tannic and very long. Extremely suave wine. WS 91 (6/1994): Deeply flavored, rich and complex, with tiers of currant, coffee, spice and chocolate. While it's young, intense and tannic, it's developing a supple texture, which allows the flavors to glide through on the finish. Cellar short-term. Best after 1996.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspWS 91 (1/2001): Earthy, elegant and refined Cabernet blend, delivering layers of currant, tar, black cherry, cedar, coffee and anise, all sharply focused and framed by just the right amount of tannin. Drink now through 2009. 6,000 cases made.IWC 90 (6/2001): Saturated red. Aromas of cherry, raspberry, smoked meat, roasted tomato, earth and tobacco leaf; deeper and more complex than the Napanook bottling. A step up in complexity, vibrancy and precision of flavor. Silky and fairly deep, with slightly truffley chocolate and tobacco flavors. Finishes with big but suave tannins and a hint of licorice. This offers rather powerful material for the year but nonetheless seems a bit dry next to the '99.WA 88 (8/2002): The 1998 Dominus's dark ruby/plum color is accompanied by aromas of licorice, earth, plums, black fruits, and underbrush. While this medium-bodied 1998 possesses good depth, a spicy, open-knit complexity, and ripe tannin, it does not have the size, depth, or dimension of the previous eight vintages. Nevertheless, it is an elegant, Bordeaux-styled red for drinking over the next decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Donati.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DrinkwardPeschon.aspWA 92 (12/2005): This is a 320- to 500-case cuvee made by talented viticulturist Lisa Behrens, of Behrens and Hitchcock, and Francoise Peschon, the longtime winemaker at Araujo Estate. Aged 20 months in 100% French oak, of which half is new, the deep ruby/purple-hued 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an elegant, sweet, precise bouquet of black currants intermixed with incense, graphite, and subtle new oak. With firmness, finesse, balance, purity, sweet tannin, and a long, rich finish, it will provide immense pleasure over the next 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DrinkwardPeschon.aspWA 91 (12/2005): This is a 320- to 500-case cuvee made by talented viticulturist Lisa Behrens, of Behrens and Hitchcock, and Francoise Peschon, the longtime winemaker at Araujo Estate. The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon possesses a similar profile, with slightly less seamlessness compared to the more showy 2002, more structure, and beautifully sweet black currant fruit interspersed with hints of flowers, spice box, forest floor, and bay leaves. This rich, impeccably balanced Cabernet can be drunk young, or cellared for 12-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DrinkwardPeschon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomDrouhin.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomDrouhin.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWS 90 (9/2000): Dark color, very rich, with a slightly cheesy nose and earthy, leathery currant, wild berry and cedary flavors. Turns tannic. Drink now through 2007. 3,038 cases made. IWC 88+ (6/1999): Bright, deep ruby-red. Vibrant aromas of dark berries, minerals, leather and fresh blood. Juicy, intense, slightly rigid flavors of dark berries. Doesn't quite deliver the richness and complexity the nose promises. Fairly tannic finish.WA 87 (12/2000): The dense ruby/purple/plum-colored 1996 Merlot Howell Mountain offers smoky, earthy, and cherry aromas with new wood in the background. The wine is fleshy, medium to full-bodied, with good underlying acidity and tannin, but no hard edges. While powerful and concentrated, it is accessible. Consume it now and over the next decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWS 90 (9/2000): Dark color, very rich, with a slightly cheesy nose and earthy, leathery currant, wild berry and cedary flavors. Turns tannic. Drink now through 2007. 3,038 cases made. IWC 88+ (6/1999): Bright, deep ruby-red. Vibrant aromas of dark berries, minerals, leather and fresh blood. Juicy, intense, slightly rigid flavors of dark berries. Doesn't quite deliver the richness and complexity the nose promises. Fairly tannic finish.WA 87 (12/2000): The dense ruby/purple/plum-colored 1996 Merlot Howell Mountain offers smoky, earthy, and cherry aromas with new wood in the background. The wine is fleshy, medium to full-bodied, with good underlying acidity and tannin, but no hard edges. While powerful and concentrated, it is accessible. Consume it now and over the next decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWS 94 (8/2002): Dusty berry, currant, anise and cedary oak aromas follow through to a rich, concentrated core of flavors on the palate; yet for all its weight, there's a sense of suppleness and grace, with a rich curranty aftertaste. Best from 2004 through 2012. 4,240 cases made.IWC 89 (12/2002): Bright ruby-red. Cassis, bitter chocolate, licorice, black pepper and mint on the nose. Juicy, spicy and firm, with concentrated fruit and an attractive creaminess at the core. Flavors of cassis and bitter chocolate in the mouth and on the strong, persistent, ripely tannic finish. Good serious cabernet.WA 85 (6/2002): The medium-bodied 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a dark purple color, austere tannin, and a Bordeaux-like flavor profile. Drink it over the next decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWS 90 (9/2003): Well-balanced, with a blend of ripe currant, plum, mocha-scented oak and hints of dusty herb and cedary oak. Finishes with ripe, supple tannins and good length. Drink now through 2008. 7,220 cases made.WA 88 (12/2003): The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon’s deep ruby/purple color is followed by elegant, sweet aromas of black currants intermixed with tar, earth, and vanillin. It is a moderately weighty, pure, well-balanced, savory, medium-bodied, elegant Cabernet that warrants consumption over the next 5-9 years.IWC 87 (2/2004): Deep red-ruby. Rich aromas of cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, mocha, loam, pipe tobacco and oak. Nicely sweet and fat, with a chocolatey flavor and a faint lurking herbaceousness. Rather soft finish features ripe, sweet tannins and a continuing note of chocolate.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWA 90 (6/2011): The least expensive Cabernet Sauvignon is the outstanding 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa (which I assume was made from purchased fruit). It offers abundant aromas of white chocolate, black currants, loamy soil and hints of spice and earth. This textured, broad, simple Cabernet should continue to offer delicious, seductive drinking over the next decade. IWC 89 (2/2005): Ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of currant, chocolate and tarry oak. Rich, juicy and aromatic, with varietally accurate flavors of currant, chocolate and tobacco leaf. Well-made cabernet, with good lift in the mouth. Finishes spicy, ripely tannic and fresh. WS 86 (11/2004): Supple and graceful, with ripe plum, black cherry, sage and herbal notes, it's well-crafted, with firm, dense, integrated tannins that veer to dryness. Best from 2005 through 2012. 5,026 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWA 81 (12/1985): (no tasting note)http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspIWC 90 (6/2000): Deep ruby-red. Black raspberry, red- and blackcurrants and dark chocolate on the nose, plus hints of mint and green tobacco. Juicy, fruit-driven flavors of dark berries and cocoa powder, complicated by a whiff of meat. Offers classic '97 texture and sweetness. Ripe acids carry the fruit. Finishes with firm but smooth tannins and a note of Cuban tobacco. A youthful, fresh merlot with considerable appeal.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspIWC 90 (6/2000): Deep ruby-red. Black raspberry, red- and blackcurrants and dark chocolate on the nose, plus hints of mint and green tobacco. Juicy, fruit-driven flavors of dark berries and cocoa powder, complicated by a whiff of meat. Offers classic '97 texture and sweetness. Ripe acids carry the fruit. Finishes with firm but smooth tannins and a note of Cuban tobacco. A youthful, fresh merlot with considerable appeal.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWS 89 (7/1987): Merlot with a wallop. It's packed with ripe fruit flavors, layers of cassis and plums, followed by loads of tannin. Has wonderful fruit but you'll have to wait for it to smooth out.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWS 88 (9/2001): Lots of complex flavors, with a range of herb, currant, olive, cedar, leather and spice, gaining depth and nuance on the long, intricate finish. Drink now through 2009. 1,364 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspWS 92 (8/2002): Smooth and harmonious, with layers of supple, well-integrated currant, herb, tobacco and light mocha-scented oak. An elegant, well-crafted wine that wows you with finesse and grace, offering a pleasing earthiness on the finish. Drink now through 2007. 1,930 cases made.IWC 92 (6/2002): Bright medium ruby. Captivating, wild aromas of cassis, currant, leather, meat and sandalwood. Juicy and intensely flavored, with a seamless texture and lovely sweetness. Still a bit youthfully unevolved but vibrant and light on its feet. Finishes with firm, ripe tannins and compelling sweet fruit. A merlot with sex appeal and real soil character.WA 90 (6/2002): The 1999 Merlot Three Palms Vineyard possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as a striking perfume of black fruits and subtle floral, foresty, and new oak notes. It is full-bodied and rich, with well-integrated tannin, and a long finish. This impressive 1999 will drink well between 2005-2016.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duckhorn.aspIWC 92 (6/2009): Deep, bright red. Spicy aromas of redcurrant and cherry are underscored by smoky minerals. Broad but focused, offering sweet red fruit flavors, supple texture and fully absorbed tannins. A floral note arrives with air and carries through the very long, gently sweet finish. These vines are just seven or eight years old, according to winemaker Smith. WA 90-92 (12/2007): The 2006 Pinot Noir Aidan shows sweet tannin, with notes of crushed rock, black cherry, raspberry, smoked meats, and forest floor. It has a nice sweetness, medium to full body, and soft, silky tannins. It is much more forward than the 2005 and should drink well for 5-6 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 93 (12/2003): The 2001 Syrah Eddie’s Patch (360 cases) is a blockbuster effort from this hillside vineyard. One-hundred percent destemmed, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it boasts a roasted meat, charcoal-infused, blackberry-scented nose with hints of violets in the background. Dense, full-bodied, and super-rich as well as gorgeously pure with chocolatey, herbal undertones, it needs 1-2 years of cellaring, and should last for 10-12 years.WS 93 (7/2004): Intense and concentrated, almost syrupy. The core wild berry, blackberry, boysenberry, mint and beef scents give it plenty of flavor complexity, and it's focused, with a long, persistent aftertaste. Ripe tannins give it a smooth aftertaste. Drink now through 2009. 468 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 94-96 (12/2007): As for the 2006 Syrah Eddie’s Patch, this looks like a whopper in the making. Huge notes of frying lard, Asian spices, blackberry, camphor, and smoked meats all regale the olfactory senses. Sumptuous, full-bodied, with low acidity and great fruit, this is a fabulously rich and possibly compelling Syrah to drink over the next 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspIWC 93 (6/2010): Glass-staining ruby. Spicy dark berries, singed plum, violet, olive and black pepper on the nose. Offers lush, sweet blackcurrant, blackberry and spice flavors, along with deeper licorice and olive tapenade qualities. Suavely blends sweet and savory elements, with a supple texture and fine-grained tannins on the back. This wine is already showing well but Smith believes it really needs at least five years of bottle age to show what it has, adding that 2008 and 2009 "are going to be superb for syrah."WS 92 (12/2010): Dense and massive, rich and concentrated, this full-blown red has a mouthcoating core of spicy dried berry, currant, spice, pepper, beef carpaccio and tannins that grip and hold on. Needs plenty of air. Best from 2011 through 2017. 420 cases made.WA 91 (2/2010): The dense, elegant 2007 Syrah Eddies Patch offers up aromas of pepper, tapenade, bouquet garni, and blackberries. This structured, tannic Syrah requires 1-2 years of cellaring for its tannins to melt away. It should drink well for 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 93 (12/2005): The dark ruby/plum-tinged 2003 Pinot Noir Finn displays a gorgeous bouquet of beet root, white flowers, forest floor, smoked meat, and herbs. A broad, complex, aromatic effort with big flavors, a juicy, concentrated mid-palate, and a long, heady finish, it is a stunning Pinot Noir to drink over the next 7-8 years.WS 93 (6/2006): Pure and sumptuous, with a rich, detailed core of wild berry, raspberry, fresh earth, spice and a hint of strawberry. This is a complex, vibrant style supported by lively acidity. Drink now through 2011. 182 cases made. IWC 90+ (2/2006): Good dark red. Pungently aromatic nose combines currant, black cherry, cocoa powder, flowers, mint and tarry oak. Chewy, juicy and intense, with concentrated flavors and solid underlying structure. Conveys more inner-mouth aromatic character than DuMol's other 2003 pinots. Solid acids give this a sappy character. Finishes firmly tannic but not dry, with very good length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 93 (2/2011): The 2008 Chardonnay Isobel (all from the Charles Heintz Vineyard’s 27-year old vines) exhibits a light straw/green hue as well as a stunning nose of caramelized lemons, orange blossoms, nectarines and hints of tropical fruits and honeysuckle. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and powerful, it should drink well for 7-8 years. IWC 93 (6/2011): Greenish gold. Higher in pitch than the Clare, displaying intense, mineral-dominated citrus and spice aromas, along with notes of licorice and white pepper. Lively acidity adds lift to fresh orange and pear flavors, with a late note of iodine adding complexity. Finishes juicy and long, with a resonating note of gingerbread. This is complex enough to enjoy now but has the spine and concentration to age.WS 91 (7/2011): Very ripe and complex, offering exotic tropical fruit flavors, with guava, pineapple, peach and floral scents. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, ending with baked fruit flavors. Drink now through 2017. 1,060 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 91-93 (12/2005): The 2004 Syrah Jack Robert’s Run, a high elevation, cool climate vineyard, reveals more blueberry and floral characteristics along with marvelous fruit on the attack, an elegant style (in contrast to the more blockbuster, masculine style of the Eddie’s Patch), and an impressive, long finish. It should drink well for a decade._x000D_http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 90-93 (12/2005): The 2004 Pinot Noir Russian River is a blend of six different cool climate vineyards. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by scents of plums, allspice, forest floor, and sassafras. With good acidity, medium to full body, and considerable ripeness, structure, and definition, it should drink well for 5-6 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspIWC 89 (11/2010): Rough-hewn, but rich and intense, offering complex, concentrated raspberry, blackberry and cherry fruit that is pure and spicy. A touch of anise and red licorice mark the finish. Best from 2011 through 2017. 2,710 cases made.WA 87-89 (2/2010): Still young and unevolved, the 2008 Pinot Noirs are restrained and slightly less impressive and concentrated than the 2007s at a similar age. They all appear to have outstanding potential with the exception of the generic Russian River cuvee. The latter wine possesses lots of sweet cola-infused berry fruit. The 2008s are softer than the 2007s. The heat spikes that occurred in September appear to have given these wines a more forward, plump style without the definition and minerality found in the 2007s. I will wait until the wines are in bottle to provide more extensive tasting notes.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 90-92 (12/2005): The 2004 Syrah Russian River exhibits abundant notes of black fruits, asphalt, and pepper in a deep, chewy, rich style. It should drink well young, and keep for 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 88-90 (12/2007): The 2006 Syrah Russian River is full-bodied, richly fruity, not terribly complex at the moment, but pure and nicely balanced. Proprietor Kerry Murphy and his winemaker, Andy Smith, are doing sensational work in the cool-climate areas of the Russian River. This has become one of my favorite tastings of the year, and not only are their Chardonnays and Pinot world-class, but they have extended their brilliance to both Viognier and Syrah. This is a winery that is clearly on top of its game and pushing all the right buttons in terms of quality.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspIWC 90 (12/2009): Firm, intense and balanced, with dried currant, berry, spice, tobacco, cedar and sage, gaining a dusty mineral and cedary edge. Closed on the finish, with tight tannins. Drink now through 2016. 1,600 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspIWC 91 (6/2009): Medium red. Deep, powerful scents of cherry-cola, sassafras and dried rose. Sappy, deep dark berry flavors are complicated by smoky mineral and floral qualities. There's surprising energy, though, and the finish leaves tangy mineral and berry skin notes behind. Still, I prefer the vivacity of the Aidan right now. WA 89 (12/2008): The only two that had been released include the 2006 Pinot Noir Ryan, which is a dark ruby, full-bodied wine with notes of clove, allspice, red currants, and hints of plum and sassafras. It is medium-bodied and well-made, but too short in the finish to merit an outstanding score. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspIWC 91 (6/2009): Medium red. Deep, powerful scents of cherry-cola, sassafras and dried rose. Sappy, deep dark berry flavors are complicated by smoky mineral and floral qualities. There's surprising energy, though, and the finish leaves tangy mineral and berry skin notes behind. Still, I prefer the vivacity of the Aidan right now. WA 89 (12/2008): The only two that had been released include the 2006 Pinot Noir Ryan, which is a dark ruby, full-bodied wine with notes of clove, allspice, red currants, and hints of plum and sassafras. It is medium-bodied and well-made, but too short in the finish to merit an outstanding score. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspIWC 94 (6/2011): Vivid red. Captivating nose combines strawberry preserves, licorice pastille, incense and an exotic Moroccan spice character. Then sweet, silky and voluptuous on the palate, with densely packed red berry, spicecake and floral flavors. Finishes long and supple, with echoing spiciness and excellent energy.WA 90 (2/2011): The medium ruby-hued 2008 Pinot Noir Ryan is fashioned from Dijon clones and the California clone called “The Martini Selection.” A crisp, elegant, fresh Pinot, it offers notes of rhubarb, candied cherries, pomegranate, sassafras and hints of herbs and spice, but not the size of the Aidan. Consume it over the next 7-8 years. WS 90 (10/2011): Exhibits a rich mix of loamy earth, dried berry, spice, cedar, cherry rhubarb and red and black licorice flavors. Full-bodied, intense and concentrated, with a touch more finesse than the Finn bottling. Drink now through 2019. 738 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspWA 96 (1/2000): The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain possesses a black/blue/purple color, and a texture of unctuosity and thickness. Greatness is suggested by a wonderfully sweet mid-section, gorgeous purity, and this humongous wine's overall symmetry. It also possesses sumptuous layers of concentration, remarkably sweet tannin, low acidity, and a 40+ second finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2040.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspWA 96 (1/2000): The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain possesses a black/blue/purple color, and a texture of unctuosity and thickness. Greatness is suggested by a wonderfully sweet mid-section, gorgeous purity, and this humongous wine's overall symmetry. It also possesses sumptuous layers of concentration, remarkably sweet tannin, low acidity, and a 40+ second finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2040.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspWA 90-93 (12/2000): Dunn's normal policy is to select the Napa Cabernet Sauvignon from his barrels right before bottling. Hence what I tasted was a trial blend of this wine. This year produced extremely small crops characterized by extremely cool growinghttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspIWC 93 (2/2006): Bright, saturated ruby-red. Vibrant nose offers cassis, minerals, gunpowder and spices. Densely packed but nicely delineated, with primary, fruit-driven flavors of blackcurrant and spices. Very juicy and suave but still quite youthfully uhttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspWA 92 (8/1996): Two of the most impressive wines in these tastings, both of Dunn's 1986s tasted like 3-4-year old Cabernets rather than 10-year old adolescents. The 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is still tight, but it reveals more openness, and gobs of sweet, mineral-laden, black-raspberry, and cassis fruit. The fruit dominates the wine's structure, a positive sign given all the wine's tannin and body. Rich, pure, and youthful, this 1986 is accessible now, but will unquestionably last another 20+ years. It is a profound, well-balanced Cabernet with well-integrated acidity and tannin. The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.WS 86 (12/2007): Dark and robust, with intense espresso, chicory and rich currant fruit that's mature and framed by chewy tannins. But the fruit flavors are vivid and lively, ending with a rustic edge. The best of two bottles.--'76/'86 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspWS 93 (11/1990): Attractive for its deep, rich fruit and spicy aromas, this is very young, intense and complex, with tiers of currant, plum and black cherry flavors and toasty oak notes. Stylish, very complete and firmly tannic on the finish, but it should reward cellaring until 1997 to 2001. 2,300 cases made.WA 91 (10/1993): The 1987 Napa Cabernet reveals an opaque dark purple color, and a strong yet unevolved bouquet of cassis, minerals, and toasty oak. Rich, but very tannic and full, this wine should be at its best between 1998-2010.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspWS 93 (11/1990): Attractive for its deep, rich fruit and spicy aromas, this is very young, intense and complex, with tiers of currant, plum and black cherry flavors and toasty oak notes. Stylish, very complete and firmly tannic on the finish, but it should reward cellaring until 1997 to 2001. 2,300 cases made.WA 91 (10/1993): The 1987 Napa Cabernet reveals an opaque dark purple color, and a strong yet unevolved bouquet of cassis, minerals, and toasty oak. Rich, but very tannic and full, this wine should be at its best between 1998-2010.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspWS 93 (11/1990): Attractive for its deep, rich fruit and spicy aromas, this is very young, intense and complex, with tiers of currant, plum and black cherry flavors and toasty oak notes. Stylish, very complete and firmly tannic on the finish, but it should reward cellaring until 1997 to 2001. 2,300 cases made.WA 91 (10/1993): The 1987 Napa Cabernet reveals an opaque dark purple color, and a strong yet unevolved bouquet of cassis, minerals, and toasty oak. Rich, but very tannic and full, this wine should be at its best between 1998-2010.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspWS 87 (11/1991): An austere style, with a touch of mint and spice, but has plenty of black cherry, currant, plum and cedar flavors. The tannins are substantial and it could use a little more body in the middle. Cellar until 1996.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.aspWA 86 (12/2003) The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa may be the lightest example I have tasted since Randy Dunn began making his blockbuster Cabs in 1979. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color, medium body, moderate levels of cassis fruit, and a tight, hard, narrow finish that will never flesh out. Although it will hold up for 10-12 years, there is clearly a lack of intensity/substance to this otherwise cleanly made lightweight.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dunn.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuskyGoose.aspWS 91 (6/2009): Well-structured, with rich layers of creamy fig, melon and apricot, gaining depth and complexity on the long finish. Drink now through 2011. 3,981 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuttonGoldfield.aspIWC 85 (12/2001): Bright, deep red. Raspberry, roasted cherry and strong oak tones of clove and nutmeg. Supple and sweet in the mouth, with bright raspberry flavor overshadowed by oak spices. Finishes with supple tannins and good length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuttonGoldfield.aspWS 89 (12/2011): Rich, with vivid pear, fig and mango flavors that are exotic and spicy. This is full-bodied and pure, persisting on the finish. Drink now through 2016. 390 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuttonGoldfield.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Duxoup.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/TomEddy.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/TomEddy.aspWA 91 (12/2003): Serious as well as endowed is the 2001 Syrah Peay Vineyard. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a gorgeous bouquet of blackberries, tar, chocolate, and flowers. This opulent, full-bodied Syrah reveals an exuberant, lush texture with no hard edges. Deep, pure, and silky-textured, it can be drunk now or aged for a decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/EdmundsStJohn.aspWA 91 (12/2003): Serious as well as endowed is the 2001 Syrah Peay Vineyard. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a gorgeous bouquet of blackberries, tar, chocolate, and flowers. This opulent, full-bodied Syrah reveals an exuberant, lush texture with no hard edges. Deep, pure, and silky-textured, it can be drunk now or aged for a decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/EdmundsStJohn.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Egelhoff.aspWS 87 (11/2006): Good intensity, with moderately rich currant, earth, herb, sage and dill notes that turn dry and a bit simpler at midpalate. Leaves you hoping for more depth and complexity. Drink now through 2010. 751 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/EhlersEstate.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Elyse.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/EmeritusVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/EmeritusVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/EmeritusVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Erath.aspWA 90 (12/1997): I had a chance to do a mini-vertical of the Etude Cabernet Sauvignons, and all of them performed extremely well. Most of them appeared to need additional cellaring, and each of them suggested to me that they have another two decades of life. I rated the 1990, 90 (outstanding, but dwarfed by more recent efforts).As insiders know, these wines are the handcrafted products of one of California's most influential and successful winemakers/consultants, Tony Soter. Soter has a superb list of clients, including Araujo Estate, Dalla Valle, and Viader. His own wines are also brilliant, and in 1997, his portfolio will include a Pinot Noir produced from his first vineyard - in Oregon's Willamette Valley.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Etude.aspWA 96 (6/2000): The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (1,800 cases), which will be released in October, ranks alongside the finest Tony Soter has produced. Don't miss it! Opaque purple-colored, with a gorgeously seamless personality, this unfined/unfiltered wine exhibits classic aromas of cassis, licorice, chocolate, and toast. Rich and full-bodied, with sweet tannin, a multilayered mid-palate, and a terrific finish, it possesses accessibility and opulence, but its balance and overall concentration suggest it will age for two decades or more. IWC 92-93 (6/2000): Saturated ruby. Highly aromatic, fruit-driven nose of boysenberry, cassis, minerals, cedar, flowers and shoe polish. Dense, highly concentrated and sharply delineated. Fairly big cabernet for this label but not at all heavy. Dusty tannins spread out over the palate. A bit of cabernet sauvignon from the Eden Rock Vineyard under Dalla Valle really lifts this wine's aromatics. WS 87 (12/2008): Tasted from magnum. Rich and intense, well focused, with complex earth, currant, anise, cedar and mineral flavors that are drying up, giving the tannins the upper hand. Best of two bottles.--'97 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now. 2,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Etude.aspWA 96 (6/2000): The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (1,800 cases), which will be released in October, ranks alongside the finest Tony Soter has produced. Don't miss it! Opaque purple-colored, with a gorgeously seamless personality, this unfined/unfiltered wine exhibits classic aromas of cassis, licorice, chocolate, and toast. Rich and full-bodied, with sweet tannin, a multilayered mid-palate, and a terrific finish, it possesses accessibility and opulence, but its balance and overall concentration suggest it will age for two decades or more. IWC 92-93 (6/2000): Saturated ruby. Highly aromatic, fruit-driven nose of boysenberry, cassis, minerals, cedar, flowers and shoe polish. Dense, highly concentrated and sharply delineated. Fairly big cabernet for this label but not at all heavy. Dusty tannins spread out over the palate. A bit of cabernet sauvignon from the Eden Rock Vineyard under Dalla Valle really lifts this wine's aromatics. WS 87 (12/2008): Tasted from magnum. Rich and intense, well focused, with complex earth, currant, anise, cedar and mineral flavors that are drying up, giving the tannins the upper hand. Best of two bottles.--'97 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now. 2,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Etude.aspWA 96 (6/2000): The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (1,800 cases), which will be released in October, ranks alongside the finest Tony Soter has produced. Don't miss it! Opaque purple-colored, with a gorgeously seamless personality, this unfined/unfiltered wine exhibits classic aromas of cassis, licorice, chocolate, and toast. Rich and full-bodied, with sweet tannin, a multilayered mid-palate, and a terrific finish, it possesses accessibility and opulence, but its balance and overall concentration suggest it will age for two decades or more. IWC 92-93 (6/2000): Saturated ruby. Highly aromatic, fruit-driven nose of boysenberry, cassis, minerals, cedar, flowers and shoe polish. Dense, highly concentrated and sharply delineated. Fairly big cabernet for this label but not at all heavy. Dusty tannins spread out over the palate. A bit of cabernet sauvignon from the Eden Rock Vineyard under Dalla Valle really lifts this wine's aromatics. WS 87 (12/2008): Tasted from magnum. Rich and intense, well focused, with complex earth, currant, anise, cedar and mineral flavors that are drying up, giving the tannins the upper hand. Best of two bottles.--'97 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now. 2,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Etude.aspWS 92 (5/2006): Supple and harmonious, with richness joined by a classy elegance, offering a range of understated currant, black cherry and plummy Cabernet fruit. The tannins are soft and fleshy, with a nice push of fruit complexity on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 285 cases made. WA 90 + (12/2005): The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford possesses a structured, dusty earthiness along with black currants, a hint of raspberry and sweet cherry, attractive, spicy wood, and moderate tannin. It seems much less evolved than the St. Helena cuvee.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Etude.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Etude.aspWA 92+ (12/2007): The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford possesses abundant amounts of black currant fruit along with that loamy soil character often referred to as “Rutherford dust,” hints of bay leaves and mint, along with subtle pain grille and spice box notes. Full-bodied and rich with a velvety texture, it should drink beautifully for 15+ years.IWC 92 (6/2008): Good medium-deep red-ruby. Wild, ripe aromas of berries, smoke and leather; clearly higher in pH than the 2005. Big, rich and full, with a lovely sweetness to the berry, black cherry and melted licorice flavors. Really spreads out on the back, finishing with substantial but suave dusty tannins. WS 92 (7/2008): Very Bordeaux-like in its balance and structure. Has wonderful intensity and focus, with tight, vivid, loamy earth, dried currant, sage and mineral flavors that are tight, framed by fine-grained tannins and subtle toasty oak. Best from 2010 through 2016. 300 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Etude.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Etude.aspWS 94 (8/2009): An arresting wine, stopping you in your tracks with its pure, clear, expressive pear, apple, chalk, wet stone and fromage blanc aromas, which follow through on the palate and dance easily on the long finish. Drink now through 2015. 115 cases made.WA 92 (10/2009): The 2007 Chardonnay Summum Seven Springs Vineyard exhibits a similar personality. Minerals, baking spices, hazelnuts, white peach, and melon aromas lead to a smooth wine with superior depth and concentration, all elements in harmony, and a very long finish. This high-class effort is likely to evolve for 2-3 years and drink well for a decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/EveningLand.aspIWC 92+ (6/2009): Bright ruby. Knockout nose combines blueberry, black olive, white pepper, mocha and menthol. Suave on entry, then dense and primary, with youthfully clenched flavors of black fruits and licorice. Finishes with big, slightly chunky, peppery tannins that will require at least a couple years of cellaring. Vinified with 80% whole clusters. Intriguing, rather Rhone-like syrah. WA 91 (12/2008): The 2007 Syrah Phoenix Ranch offers Northern Rhone-like characteristics of bacon fat, roasted meat, bouquet garni, and sweet blackberry and currant fruit. It is full-bodied with sweet tannin, good acidity, and a notion of tapenade. This super-complex, French-styled Syrah can be drunk now and over the next 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Failla.aspWS 77 (12/2004): Very mature and drying, with faded cherry and currant flavors leading to a dry, dusty, tannic aftertaste.--California Cabernet '74/'84/'94 retrospective. 8,500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FarNiente.aspWS 91 (6/1999): Shopping for your cellar? Stash this California Cab away for the next two to ten years and you'll be rewarded. It's deliciously complex, with earth, cedar, plum, currant, black cherry and spice flavors, gaining depth and richness on the dry, firm finish. 10,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FarNiente.aspWS 88 (9/2000): Elegant and complex, with layers of currant, black cherry, anise, cedar and sage. A big, full-blown style that packs in lots of flavor. Not as good as when tasted from barrel. Drink now through 2008. 15,000 cases made.WA 86 (6/2000): Dark ruby-colored with purple nuances, this compressed, tightly-knit, austere Cabernet Sauvignon offers up straightforward aromas of black currant fruit, loamy earth, and new oak. Firm, with high tannin, medium body, and moderate concentration, it requires cellaring. Will it ever shed enough tannin to become harmonious? It is a gamble. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2012?http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FarNiente.aspWS 91 (6/1999): Shopping for your cellar? Stash this California Cab away for the next two to ten years and you'll be rewarded. It's deliciously complex, with earth, cedar, plum, currant, black cherry and spice flavors, gaining depth and richness on the dry, firm finish. 10,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GaryFarrell.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FiddleheadCellars.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fieldstone.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fieldstone.aspWA 89 (12/2006): The 2004 Cameron (75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot) possesses a dark ruby/purple color followed by scents of white chocolate, sweet red and black currants, mint, and spice. This medium-bodied 2004 is best consumed during its first decade of life.IWC 88+ (6/2007): Dark red. Strong floral notes complement red berry and cherry aromas, with a complicating whiff of iron. On the palate, the flavors of ripe cherry and spicy vanillin oak are supported by soft tannins. There's plenty of fruit here but the oak is a bit pronounced at this point.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 90 (12/1995): Fred Fisher has performed a complete turnabout with respect to the quality of his wines. For much of this decade his Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon have been among the most exciting wines being made in California. The 1993 reds appear to be richer and more impressive than the 1994s.WS 85 (12/1996): Ripe and chunky, with currant, plum and berry flavors, but it lacks focus and harmony at this stage, finishing with a tannic, waxy accent. 1,706 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 89 (12/1996): The 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia reveals a medium dark color, a Bordeaux-like, austere, spicy, oaky, earthy, cassis-scented nose, plenty of tannin, medium body, and a firm, closed personality. This wine needs another 1-3 years of cellaring; it will keep for 12-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 90 (8/2002): The deep ruby/purple-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia (a 2,370-case blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc) exhibits a creamy nose of chocolate, smoke, cassis, and licorice, an up-front, rich, fleshy, elegant style, medium body, and a sweet finish. Drink it over the next 8-10 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 90 (8/2002): The deep ruby/purple-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia (a 2,370-case blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc) exhibits a creamy nose of chocolate, smoke, cassis, and licorice, an up-front, rich, fleshy, elegant style, medium body, and a sweet finish. Drink it over the next 8-10 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 86 (12/2000) The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is lean, austere, and short, revealing a Bordeaux-like red currant and spicy character with hard tannin in the finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 88 (12/2003) The fragrant 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia (which includes Malbec, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc in the final blend) exhibits up-front, sweet, tobacco-tinged black currant fruit, medium body, and fine purity, ripeness, and balance. It should drink well for 7-10 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 90 (1/2000): The 1996 Coach Insignia (1,380 cases) offers classic cassis, coffee, chocolate, and oaky aromas that are followed by deep, concentrated, spicy, rich, berry fruit flavors. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc, it offers abundant power, purity, and richness. It should drink well for 10-15+ years. IWC 89 (6/1999): Deep ruby-red. Rather wild, warm aromas of currant, plum, smoke, tobacco and roasted nuts. Lush, roasted flavors of currant, plum, leather and tobacco. Quite pliant in the mouth, due to rather low acidity. Finishes with sweet, even tannins and very good length; the smoke and tobacco notes repeat on the aftertaste.WS 81 (12/2007): Dried herb, sage and dusty berry scents, with strong tobacco and earthy cedar flavors, ending with very dried-out tannins.--1996 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 95 (12/1995): Fred Fisher also produces 600 cases of a Cabernet Sauvignon from the five-acre Lamb Vineyard, located near the Eisele Vineyard in Napa Valley. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Lamb Vineyard is an intense, concentrated, opaque purple-colored wine with gobs of black-raspberry and chocolate-like fruit. Extremely young, it requires 5-7 years of cellaring. Impressive and pure, it is one of Fisher's most concentrated Cabernet Sauvignons. My experience has been that this wine explodes in the glass with 4-6 hours of decanting! It was interesting to see how crisp, restrained, and less concentrated Fisher's 1994s were when compared to the extremely rich and successful 1993s.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 90+ (12/2005): The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon LaMB ***[*] possesses a distinctive style reminiscent of a northern Graves wine from Bordeaux. The wine’s scorched earth/virile, masculine style, primordial backwardness, and big, black currant, gravelly nose with hints of graphite and hot rocks, are followed by a tannic, medium-bodied, austere wine with undeniable long term aging potential, but not the charm or seductiveness of the other reds. Give it 3-5 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following two decades.IWC 90+ (6/2006): Deep ruby-red. Reticent nose hints at cassis, minerals and licorice. Tightly wound and firmly built; less sweet than the Coach Insignia but still reasonably dense and pliant. Flavors of berries, minerals and cool tobacco leaf convey a juicy character. The firm tannins of this wine will require three or four years of patience. But this is exactly the kind of '03 that should reward cellaring.WS 88 (5/2008): Rich, intense and a touch earthy, with dried herb, currant, pencil lead and shavings. Tight, firm and concentrated, ending with dry, austere tannins. Drink now through 2014. 300 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspIWC 90-92 (6/1999): Bright ruby color. Expressive, floral aromas of blueberry, cassis and meat. Opulent and rather open in the mouth, with sappy cherry and cassis flavors; still quite youthful but already displays lovely inner-mouth perfume and personality. Finishes with a strong spine of tannins that will require time to integrate with the wine.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspIWC 90-92 (6/1999): Bright ruby color. Expressive, floral aromas of blueberry, cassis and meat. Opulent and rather open in the mouth, with sappy cherry and cassis flavors; still quite youthful but already displays lovely inner-mouth perfume and personality. Finishes with a strong spine of tannins that will require time to integrate with the wine.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 99 (12/2000) The potentially perfect, opaque purple-colored 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Wedding Vineyard (400 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is made from 27-year-old vines, and is aged in 100% new French Taransaud barrels. This prodigious Cabernet Sauvignon has only gotten better since my tasting last year. The finest Cabernet I have tasted from Fisher, it represents a California interpretation of La Mission Haut-Brion. The wine offers sweet, tobacco-infused, scorched earth, blackberry, and blueberry notes, with a liquid minerality. The aromatics are matched by the immense, concentrated, seamless, staggeringly rich, powerful palate. This wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring, and keep for 35-40 years. A modern-day California legend, it is one of the most profound California Cabernet Sauvignons ever made on the Sonoma side of California's North Coast viticultural region. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 99 (12/2000) The potentially perfect, opaque purple-colored 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Wedding Vineyard (400 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is made from 27-year-old vines, and is aged in 100% new French Taransaud barrels. This prodigious Cabernet Sauvignon has only gotten better since my tasting last year. The finest Cabernet I have tasted from Fisher, it represents a California interpretation of La Mission Haut-Brion. The wine offers sweet, tobacco-infused, scorched earth, blackberry, and blueberry notes, with a liquid minerality. The aromatics are matched by the immense, concentrated, seamless, staggeringly rich, powerful palate. This wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring, and keep for 35-40 years. A modern-day California legend, it is one of the most profound California Cabernet Sauvignons ever made on the Sonoma side of California's North Coast viticultural region. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 93 (8/2002) There are no reservations about the 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Wedding Vineyard (430 cases). It boasts an opaque purple color along with gorgeous aromas of graphite, sweet barbecue smoke, earth, licorice, creme de cassis, and a hint of prunes. It is dense, full-bodied, and layered, with considerable power and tannin as well as exceptional extract, richness, and balance. It will be its finest between 2005-2020http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 86 (12/2003) Approximately 400 cases were produced of the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Wedding Vineyard. It reveals the vintage’s hard tannin and clipped personality, along with attractive complexity, earthy, cedar, black cherry fruit, but the astringent tannin dominates the lean finish.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisher.aspWA 88 (12/2010): A very good value in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this dark ruby/purple-tinged 2008 reveals notes of black currants, damp earth, spicy, high quality oak and a touch of roasted herbs. Medium to full-bodied and round, it is ideal for drinking over the next 5-7 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Fisticuffs.aspWA 90 (12/2007): The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Holy Smoke Vineyard exhibits a dense ruby/purple color and notes of charcoal, black currant, sweet cherry, earth, and underbrush. A deep, full-bodied wine that is more supple and forward than its two predecessors, but beautiful, it should be drunk over the next 12-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 91 (2/2005): The 2001 Out of Sight Vineyard (previously known as Hardman Vineyard) displays a deep ruby/purple color, loads of texture, medium to full body, high tannin, admirable sweetness, and a backward style. Give this impressive wine 2-3 years of bottle age, and consume it over the following 10-15 years.WS 88 (7/2004): High-toned fruit, smooth, ripe and juicy, with a fleshy core of black cherry, blackberry and cedary anise with rich and persistent spicy nuances, finishing with firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2010. 300 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 93 (12/2005): The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Out of Sight Vineyard (a Silverado Trail vineyard derived from the St. George rootstock) offers a dense ruby/purple color as well as a big, sexy nose of sweet cassis interwoven with chocolate, pepper, and spice box. This soft, opulent, seductive Cabernet coats the palate, but is neither heavy nor over-the-top. No one will be disappointed with this beautifully rich wine.WS 85-88 (9/2004): Intense and grapey, with currant, blackberry and savory spices that lose velocity at midpalate, turning simple.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 92 (12/2007): The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Out of Sight Vineyard, from an estate vineyard in the very southern part of Napa, not far from the Silverado Country Club, has a deep ruby/purple color, beautiful texture, more opulence and flesh than any of the other Cabernets in the portfolio, and a long, heady finish. This wine displays terrific fruit, beautiful, pure cassis intermixed with some licorice and cedar. Drink it over the next 15+ years.WS 87 (11/2007): Tight, with an earthy streak running through the spicy currant, cedar and dried berry flavors. Balanced, with mild, integrated tannins. Drink now through 2012. 553 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 92 (8/2002): The superb 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Reserve offers aromas of cedar, spice box, and pure, ripe, jammy cassis and cherry liqueur. It is full-bodied and concentrated, with sweet, surprisingly supple tannin, and a powerful, long finish. It will last for nearly two decades. Anticipated maturity: now-2016.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 88 (12/2003): The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Reserve is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, limited production cuvee (about 800 cases): fashioned from the estate’s top vineyards. This excellent effort boasts a dense plum/ruby color as well as a tight but promising nose of cassis, earth, and cedar. Medium-bodied, tightly structured, and rich, with a delicious attack followed by a narrow finish with moderate tannin, it requires another 1-2 years of cellaring. It should last for 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 89+ (12/2007): The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Reserve boasts surprising elegance in this vintage, which tends to be very big, fruit-forward, and classically Napa. This is a medium-bodied, cedary, spice box-filled Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of toasty oak intermixed with black currant, cherry, and earth. The wine is medium-bodied and well-made, but some firm tannins in the finish suggest aging it for another several years and drinking it over the following 15+ years. WS 69 (12/2007): Dirty, bitter and leathery. Tasted three times, with consistent notes. 304 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 90+ (12/2007): The five essentially single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons are represented by the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Hill Reserve. This is a classic example of Rutherford with cedar and soil undertones and beautiful black currant and spice box notes, full body, good acidity, ripe tannin, and a long, layered finish that builds incrementally. This is quintessentially elegant Cabernet Sauvignon that should age nicely for 15-20 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 88 (12/2000): The 1998 Trilogy Proprietary Red Wine reveals the vintage's shortcomings. It is a very good, even excellent wine, but the vintage's short, cool growing season has given the wine more austerity than normal. A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Malbec, it offers plenty of spicy new oak, mineral, licorice, and damp, foresty aromas and flavors. Elegant and medium-bodied, it is best drunk over the next 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 89 (12/2007): The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Boar Vineyard, which comes from Pope Valley, is surprisingly civilized, as wines from here tend to be somewhat animal, rustic, and tannic. This is refined, with a deep ruby/purple color and sweet, smoky black currant fruit intermixed with some bay leaf/tobacco leaf and good, spicy oak. It should drink nicely for 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 88 (12/2007): The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Boar Vineyard, which sees more American oak than any of the other cuvees (which are all mostly French oak with an occasional Hungarian oak barrel thrown in), is showing this region’s tannin, rusticity, and rather bold, aggressive, masculine style. The wine has potential but needs some time to resolve the tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FloraSprings.aspWA 90+ (12/2005): The 2003 Pinot Noir Moon Select (292 cases) exhibits a deep ruby/plum color as well as a sweet perfume of black currants, crushed rocks, smoke, and flowers. Tightly-knit but rich and structured, this beauty requires another 1-2 years of bottle age. It should drink well for 7-8 years.IWC 90 (2/2006): Good deep red. Raspberry aroma lifted by exotic clove and flowers. Juicy, sappy and tangy, with penetrating flavors of sweet red berries and pepper. This, too, is quite dry in a positive way, and bright on the back end. Very Sonoma Coast in character. Also tasted: 2003 Pinot Noir Moon Select Sonoma Coast.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FlowersVineyard.aspIWC 90 (6/2007): Medium red. Spicy cherry on the nose, plus a hint of dark chocolate. Suave and velvety, with deep dark berry flavors complicated by black cardamom, cured tobacco and fresh meat. The structured, firmly tannic finish shows a persistent bitter cherry flavor. This is built to age.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FlowersVineyard.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FlowersVineyard.aspIWC 91 (6/2010): Bright medium red. Pungent aromas of red and dark berry preserves, smoky herbs and potpourri, with touches of vanilla and cola. Pliant black raspberry and candied cherry flavors pick up a spicy quality in the middle palate, along with slow-building vanillin sweetness. Pretty attractive now, but the wine's sneaky tannins suggest it will be better in a couple more years. BH 89 (10/2009): An attractive, fresh and nicely pure nose of red and blue pinot fruit that displays above average depth slides over onto the detailed, vibrant and supple medium-bodied flavors that are delicious, balanced and lingering. There is a dusty mouth feel that coats the palate and I very much like the finish as there is none of the acid tang that less well-balanced wines often possess. This could be drunk now but better with a few years in bottle first. Worth a look. Drink 2013+.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AdrianFog.aspWA 90 (12/2005): The talented Bob Foley turns out one of the two finest Charbonos in California. (Turley Cellars produces the other). Deep ruby/purple with notes of earth, mocha., black cherry, and spice, Foley’s 2004 Charbono is full-bodied, chewy, slightly rustic, but tasty. Drink it over the next 2-3 years._x000D__x000D_WS 90 (11/2005): A remarkably complex and enticing Charbono that actually tastes great. Rich, full-bodied yet lean and tightly focused, this exhibits a complex array of new leather, mineral and tart wild berry flavors that turn smooth and polished on the palate. Very impressive. Drink now through 2010._x000D_http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 93 (8/2002): There are 400 cases of this blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Pride Mountain Vineyard's winemaker, Robert Foley. Sadly, most of the 1998 (which I reviewed in issue #141) was destroyed in a warehouse fire. The only bothttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 93 (8/2002): There are 400 cases of this blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Pride Mountain Vineyard's winemaker, Robert Foley. Sadly, most of the 1998 (which I reviewed in issue #141) was destroyed in a warehouse fire. The only bothttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 93 (8/2002): There are 400 cases of this blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Pride Mountain Vineyard's winemaker, Robert Foley. Sadly, most of the 1998 (which I reviewed in issue #141) was destroyed in a warehouse fire. The only bothttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 93 (8/2002): There are 400 cases of this blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Pride Mountain Vineyard's winemaker, Robert Foley. Sadly, most of the 1998 (which I reviewed in issue #141) was destroyed in a warehouse fire. The only bothttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 96 (12/2003): Potentially the "Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage," Foley’s 2000 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is an amazing effort for this irregular vintage. It possesses a saturated black/purple color, great elegance and richness as well as amazing precision and extraordinary purity. Aromas of smoke, licorice, incense, black currant liqueur, and spice box are followed by a full-bodied, satiny smooth wine with a 45+ second finish. This incredible 2000 is a tribute to Bob Foley’s talents. IWC 91 (6/2003): (90% cabernet; the '99 was a 50/50 blend of cabernet and merlot) Deep, bright ruby. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, cassis, black raspberry, minerals, tar, dark chocolate and smoke. Densely packed wine with plum, currant and tobacco flavors complemented but not overwhelmed by sweet oak tones. Boasts sound acidity and a restrained sweetness. Finishes with excellent persistence and big, tongue-dusting, granular tannins that coat the front teeth. Like Bob Foley's wines at Pride Family Vineyards, this is uncommonly strong in the context of the 2000 vintage.WS 91 (5/2003): A sleek, rich, elegant style, with a complex array of anise, black cherry, flashy mocha-scented oak, currant and coffee, finishing with a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 96 (12/2003): Potentially the "Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage," Foley’s 2000 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is an amazing effort for this irregular vintage. It possesses a saturated black/purple color, great elegance and richness as well as amazing precision and extraordinary purity. Aromas of smoke, licorice, incense, black currant liqueur, and spice box are followed by a full-bodied, satiny smooth wine with a 45+ second finish. This incredible 2000 is a tribute to Bob Foley’s talents. IWC 91 (6/2003): (90% cabernet; the '99 was a 50/50 blend of cabernet and merlot) Deep, bright ruby. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, cassis, black raspberry, minerals, tar, dark chocolate and smoke. Densely packed wine with plum, currant and tobacco flavors complemented but not overwhelmed by sweet oak tones. Boasts sound acidity and a restrained sweetness. Finishes with excellent persistence and big, tongue-dusting, granular tannins that coat the front teeth. Like Bob Foley's wines at Pride Family Vineyards, this is uncommonly strong in the context of the 2000 vintage.WS 91 (5/2003): A sleek, rich, elegant style, with a complex array of anise, black cherry, flashy mocha-scented oak, currant and coffee, finishing with a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 96 (12/2003): Potentially the "Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage," Foley’s 2000 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is an amazing effort for this irregular vintage. It possesses a saturated black/purple color, great elegance and richness as well as amazing precision and extraordinary purity. Aromas of smoke, licorice, incense, black currant liqueur, and spice box are followed by a full-bodied, satiny smooth wine with a 45+ second finish. This incredible 2000 is a tribute to Bob Foley’s talents. IWC 91 (6/2003): (90% cabernet; the '99 was a 50/50 blend of cabernet and merlot) Deep, bright ruby. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, cassis, black raspberry, minerals, tar, dark chocolate and smoke. Densely packed wine with plum, currant and tobacco flavors complemented but not overwhelmed by sweet oak tones. Boasts sound acidity and a restrained sweetness. Finishes with excellent persistence and big, tongue-dusting, granular tannins that coat the front teeth. Like Bob Foley's wines at Pride Family Vineyards, this is uncommonly strong in the context of the 2000 vintage.WS 91 (5/2003): A sleek, rich, elegant style, with a complex array of anise, black cherry, flashy mocha-scented oak, currant and coffee, finishing with a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 96 (12/2003): Potentially the "Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage," Foley’s 2000 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is an amazing effort for this irregular vintage. It possesses a saturated black/purple color, great elegance and richness as well as amazing precision and extraordinary purity. Aromas of smoke, licorice, incense, black currant liqueur, and spice box are followed by a full-bodied, satiny smooth wine with a 45+ second finish. This incredible 2000 is a tribute to Bob Foley’s talents. IWC 91 (6/2003): (90% cabernet; the '99 was a 50/50 blend of cabernet and merlot) Deep, bright ruby. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, cassis, black raspberry, minerals, tar, dark chocolate and smoke. Densely packed wine with plum, currant and tobacco flavors complemented but not overwhelmed by sweet oak tones. Boasts sound acidity and a restrained sweetness. Finishes with excellent persistence and big, tongue-dusting, granular tannins that coat the front teeth. Like Bob Foley's wines at Pride Family Vineyards, this is uncommonly strong in the context of the 2000 vintage.WS 91 (5/2003): A sleek, rich, elegant style, with a complex array of anise, black cherry, flashy mocha-scented oak, currant and coffee, finishing with a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 96 (12/2003): Potentially the "Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage," Foley’s 2000 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is an amazing effort for this irregular vintage. It possesses a saturated black/purple color, great elegance and richness as well as amazing precision and extraordinary purity. Aromas of smoke, licorice, incense, black currant liqueur, and spice box are followed by a full-bodied, satiny smooth wine with a 45+ second finish. This incredible 2000 is a tribute to Bob Foley’s talents. IWC 91 (6/2003): (90% cabernet; the '99 was a 50/50 blend of cabernet and merlot) Deep, bright ruby. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, cassis, black raspberry, minerals, tar, dark chocolate and smoke. Densely packed wine with plum, currant and tobacco flavors complemented but not overwhelmed by sweet oak tones. Boasts sound acidity and a restrained sweetness. Finishes with excellent persistence and big, tongue-dusting, granular tannins that coat the front teeth. Like Bob Foley's wines at Pride Family Vineyards, this is uncommonly strong in the context of the 2000 vintage.WS 91 (5/2003): A sleek, rich, elegant style, with a complex array of anise, black cherry, flashy mocha-scented oak, currant and coffee, finishing with a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 99 (12/2003): The virtually perfect 2001 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is a tour de force in winemaking. It possesses extraordinary concentration, intensity, purity, and ripeness, yet retains an elegant style. With a spectacular perfume of blackberry liqueur, cassis, acacia flowers, graphite, espresso roast, and chocolate as well as a 60-second finish, this long, dense 2001 is still primary, but already fun to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 99 (12/2003): The virtually perfect 2001 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is a tour de force in winemaking. It possesses extraordinary concentration, intensity, purity, and ripeness, yet retains an elegant style. With a spectacular perfume of blackberry liqueur, cassis, acacia flowers, graphite, espresso roast, and chocolate as well as a 60-second finish, this long, dense 2001 is still primary, but already fun to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 99 (12/2003): The virtually perfect 2001 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is a tour de force in winemaking. It possesses extraordinary concentration, intensity, purity, and ripeness, yet retains an elegant style. With a spectacular perfume of blackberry liqueur, cassis, acacia flowers, graphite, espresso roast, and chocolate as well as a 60-second finish, this long, dense 2001 is still primary, but already fun to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 99 (12/2003): The virtually perfect 2001 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is a tour de force in winemaking. It possesses extraordinary concentration, intensity, purity, and ripeness, yet retains an elegant style. With a spectacular perfume of blackberry liqueur, cassis, acacia flowers, graphite, espresso roast, and chocolate as well as a 60-second finish, this long, dense 2001 is still primary, but already fun to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 99 (12/2003): The virtually perfect 2001 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is a tour de force in winemaking. It possesses extraordinary concentration, intensity, purity, and ripeness, yet retains an elegant style. With a spectacular perfume of blackberry liqueur, cassis, acacia flowers, graphite, espresso roast, and chocolate as well as a 60-second finish, this long, dense 2001 is still primary, but already fun to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 99 (12/2003): The virtually perfect 2001 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is a tour de force in winemaking. It possesses extraordinary concentration, intensity, purity, and ripeness, yet retains an elegant style. With a spectacular perfume of blackberry liqueur, cassis, acacia flowers, graphite, espresso roast, and chocolate as well as a 60-second finish, this long, dense 2001 is still primary, but already fun to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 95 (2/2005): A classic example of a Bordeaux blend, the 2002 Claret possesses an inky/blue/purple color as well as a fabulous perfume of graphite, creme de cassis, smoke, and licorice. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, unctuous texture, tremendous purity, and moderately high tannin in the 40+ second finish. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 95 (2/2005): A classic example of a Bordeaux blend, the 2002 Claret possesses an inky/blue/purple color as well as a fabulous perfume of graphite, creme de cassis, smoke, and licorice. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, unctuous texture, tremendous purity, and moderately high tannin in the 40+ second finish. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 95 (2/2005): A classic example of a Bordeaux blend, the 2002 Claret possesses an inky/blue/purple color as well as a fabulous perfume of graphite, creme de cassis, smoke, and licorice. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, unctuous texture, tremendous purity, and moderately high tannin in the 40+ second finish. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 95 (2/2005): A classic example of a Bordeaux blend, the 2002 Claret possesses an inky/blue/purple color as well as a fabulous perfume of graphite, creme de cassis, smoke, and licorice. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, unctuous texture, tremendous purity, and moderately high tannin in the 40+ second finish. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 96 (12/2005): The top wine here is the classic 2003 Claret, a gorgeously proportioned, opaque purple-colored effort boasting a big, sweet nose of smoky meats, creme de cassis, coffee, and dark plums. Dense and opulent, with superb concentration, full body, high glycerin, decent acidity, and ripe tannin, this a superb mouthful of wine that can be approached now or cellared for 12-15 years.WS 95 (11/2005): Remarkably rich, supple and harmonious, with a generous array of spicy currant, blackberry, exotic spice and hazelnut with hints of mocha and chocolate. For all its richness and complexity, this is a delightful wine to drink both now and through the next decade. Best from 2006 through 2013. 700 cases made.IWC 94+ (6/2006): (100% cabernet sauvignon, from Pride Mountain Vineyards and Switchback Ridge fruit) Deep ruby. Sexy aromas of blackcurrant, graphite and licorice. Dense, sweet and superconcentrated, with terrific intensity of briary black raspberry flavors. Powerful, long, brooding wine, finishing with toothcoating tannins. This big boy begs to be served with a piece of meat. Not as lush at this stage as the wonderful 2002, but this may live longer.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 96 (12/2005): The top wine here is the classic 2003 Claret, a gorgeously proportioned, opaque purple-colored effort boasting a big, sweet nose of smoky meats, creme de cassis, coffee, and dark plums. Dense and opulent, with superb concentration, full body, high glycerin, decent acidity, and ripe tannin, this a superb mouthful of wine that can be approached now or cellared for 12-15 years.WS 95 (11/2005): Remarkably rich, supple and harmonious, with a generous array of spicy currant, blackberry, exotic spice and hazelnut with hints of mocha and chocolate. For all its richness and complexity, this is a delightful wine to drink both now and through the next decade. Best from 2006 through 2013. 700 cases made.IWC 94+ (6/2006): (100% cabernet sauvignon, from Pride Mountain Vineyards and Switchback Ridge fruit) Deep ruby. Sexy aromas of blackcurrant, graphite and licorice. Dense, sweet and superconcentrated, with terrific intensity of briary black raspberry flavors. Powerful, long, brooding wine, finishing with toothcoating tannins. This big boy begs to be served with a piece of meat. Not as lush at this stage as the wonderful 2002, but this may live longer.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 96 (12/2005): The top wine here is the classic 2003 Claret, a gorgeously proportioned, opaque purple-colored effort boasting a big, sweet nose of smoky meats, creme de cassis, coffee, and dark plums. Dense and opulent, with superb concentration, full body, high glycerin, decent acidity, and ripe tannin, this a superb mouthful of wine that can be approached now or cellared for 12-15 years.WS 95 (11/2005): Remarkably rich, supple and harmonious, with a generous array of spicy currant, blackberry, exotic spice and hazelnut with hints of mocha and chocolate. For all its richness and complexity, this is a delightful wine to drink both now and through the next decade. Best from 2006 through 2013. 700 cases made.IWC 94+ (6/2006): (100% cabernet sauvignon, from Pride Mountain Vineyards and Switchback Ridge fruit) Deep ruby. Sexy aromas of blackcurrant, graphite and licorice. Dense, sweet and superconcentrated, with terrific intensity of briary black raspberry flavors. Powerful, long, brooding wine, finishing with toothcoating tannins. This big boy begs to be served with a piece of meat. Not as lush at this stage as the wonderful 2002, but this may live longer.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 95 (12/2006): The inky/purple-hued, seamless 2004 Claret boasts gorgeous aromas of creme de cassis, blackberries, smoke, licorice, espresso roast, and spring flowers. With sensational concentration, full body, a voluptuous mouthfeel, decent acidity, and sweet tannin, it can be drunk now and over the next 10-15 years.IWC 92+ (6/2007): (90% cabernet sauvignon and 10% merlot) Saturated medium ruby. Very dark aromas of blackberry, licorice, minerals, tar and molten chocolate. Wonderfully ripe, thick and supple but not overly sweet. In fact, this tannic, brooding, youthfully backward wine is distinctly clenched today and not yet expressing its inherent complexity. Finishes with a medicinal austerity and big, dusty tannins. This boasts terrific fruit but needs four or five years of cellaring.WS 91 (11/2007): Dusty oak and berry aromas are tight and compact, with dried currant, mineral, blackberry and oak, ending with more complexity and depth than is evident on the first sip. The tannins are firm. Decant. Best from 2008 through 2013. 1,500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 92 (12/2008): A gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and sweet black cherries emerges from the full-bodied, opulent 2005 Claret. Revealing more concentration, sweeter tannins, and more nuances and complexity than the 2006, this elegant beauty can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 92 (12/2008): A gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and sweet black cherries emerges from the full-bodied, opulent 2005 Claret. Revealing more concentration, sweeter tannins, and more nuances and complexity than the 2006, this elegant beauty can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 92 (12/2008): A gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and sweet black cherries emerges from the full-bodied, opulent 2005 Claret. Revealing more concentration, sweeter tannins, and more nuances and complexity than the 2006, this elegant beauty can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 92 (12/2008): A gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and sweet black cherries emerges from the full-bodied, opulent 2005 Claret. Revealing more concentration, sweeter tannins, and more nuances and complexity than the 2006, this elegant beauty can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWS 94 (2/2009): Smooth, rich and complex, this is full-bodied, with firm, focused currant, sage and dusty berry fruit that runs deep with concentration, unfolding to reveal blackberry, mineral and light cedary oak flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 20http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 89 (12/2007): The charming 2005 Merlot exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of mocha, black cherries, smoke, and earth. This fleshy, medium to full-bodied Merlot is ideal for drinking over the next 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 89 (12/2007): The charming 2005 Merlot exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of mocha, black cherries, smoke, and earth. This fleshy, medium to full-bodied Merlot is ideal for drinking over the next 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWA 93 (12/2007): The enormously-endowed, inky/purple-colored 2005 Petite Sirah reveals notes of incense, spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, and a subtle touch of pepper. This massive red is surprisingly civilized and silky-textured. Although accessible, it should easily last for 15-20 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.aspWS 92 (2/2009): Wonderfully aromatic and full of personality, with fresh black and white pepper notes defining the zesty wild berry, mineral and savory flavors. Full-bodied, with tannins that are firm, gripping and taut. Drink now through 2013. 700 cases made.IWC 90 (6/2009): Saturated ruby. Highly aromatic nose delivers cassis, smoked meat, crushed rock and black pepper. Dense and sweet, combining an almost roasted Chateauneuf du Pape-like character with very good inner-palate energy. The black fruit flavors are perked up by a peppery quality that lifts the wine's aftertaste. Tannins are chewy and substantial. This fruit comes from York Creek Vineyards on Spring Mountain, at an altitude reaching 2,000 feet. WA 88 (12/2008): The 2006 Petite Sirah Pepperland is appropriately named. Aggressive oak and spice as well as background blue and black fruit aromas jump from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, tannic, closed, angular, and astringent effort. There is a lot buried under the surface, and while time in the bottle will be helpful, it may not be enough to bring this wine into total harmony.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RobertFoleyVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ForgeronCellars.aspWS 90 (12/1997): Starts out with a meaty, earthy, slightly cheesy quality, along with hints of currant, in the aroma, then unveils complex fruit flavors, with hints of cherry, plum and currant and a dash of cedar, and finishes with a tarry edge. Well balanced, quite firm and tannic. In need of further cellaring.IWC 87 (10/2002): Bright red-ruby. Floral and raspberry aromas. Intense, fresh berry fruit with a slightly green aspect. Juicy and nicely delineated, with firm acids that are just this side of hard. Still-youthful wine, finishing with ripe tannins, very good length and a hint of tartness, likely due to acidification.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Forman.aspWA 93 (12/2003): One of Forman’s finest efforts to date, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is a seamless classic boasting a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet, fragrant, almost floral nose (there must be a good bit of Cabernet Franc in the blend), medium to full body, and abundant quantities of black currants, licorice, tobacco leaf, and earth. The wood is well-concealed in this layered, multi-dimensional, surprisingly ripe, forward Cabernet. It should drink well for 15-20 years.IWC 92 (6/2004): Bright ruby-red. Claret-like aromas of currant, leather, cedar and shoe polish. Sweet, pliant and inviting, with complex, burnished, Graves-like flavors of currant, leather and meat. Wonderfully plump in the middle but supported by a firm spine. Subtle, deep, layered cabernet that should evolve gracefully. "More typical Forman cabernet," says Forman, "from a more regular growing season than 2002." WS 77 (12/2004): A disappointing wine from a usually reliable producer, this wine starts with earthy, mulchy aromas and leads to a dense, leathery flavor that veers into barnyard flavors, ending with a dry, chalky aftertaste. 2,091 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Forman.aspIWC 90 (6/2007): Bright straw. Exotic aromas of iodine, lime zest, jasmine and smoked meat strongly suggest Burgundy, with a seductive licorice note adding complexity. Firm, dry citrus and quince flavors are nicely concentrated and focused, with a bright mineral note building with aeration. Finishes with impressive sappy length and a persistent citrus pith note. Intriguing stuff. WS 87 (12/2007): Ripe, rich and fruity, with a mix of pear, apple and spicy peach flavors that are pure and focused, ending with a clean aftertaste. Drink now through 2011. 469 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Freeman.aspIWC 89 (6/2007): Dark red. Red and dark berry aromas are enlivened by cinnamon, nutmeg and more exotic Asian spices, as well as a strong hit of fresh rose. Tangy red berry flavors gain depth with air, picking up a suave mineral tone. The focused, bright finish displays an impressive mix of freshness and power.WS 86 (9/2007): Complex, with earthy strawberry, herb and sage notes that turn dry and earthier, with a cedary wood component that may soften with time. Drink now through 2010. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 858 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Freeman.aspWA 90 (2/2010): The 2007 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast has more structure and framework than the Keefer Ranch. It also possesses a more distinctive bouquet of sassafras, bay leaf, spice box, and cola-infused dark berry fruit with a background hint of spicy, roasted coffee. Deep and rich, this 2007 Pinot will benefit from another year of bottle age, and should last for 5-7 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Freeman.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FreemarkAbbey.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FreemarkAbbey.aspWS 89 (5/2002): Unusually dark, rich and seductive, loaded with plush currant, black cherry, blackberry and spicy, floral nuances. Shows off a dose of mocha-scented oak on the finish, adding a measure of complexity and finesse. Best from 2003 through 2010. 500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FriasFamilyVineyard.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Galleron.aspWS 92 (11/1998): Elegant, refined, perfectly balanced, with ripe, fleshy cherry, currant, anise, cedar and spice, finishing with supple, well-integrated tannins. Best from 2000 through 2006. 2,400 cases made.IWC 86 (12/1998): Deep ruby-red. Crystallized cassis, dark chocolate, tarry oak and a whiff of burger on the nose. Supple, silky and concentrated, with primal flavors not yet showing much complexity. The finish is dried by dusty oak tannins, but there's also good sweet fruit.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ErnestJulioGallo.aspWA 87 (12/2009): The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Home is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Oakville section of Napa. Soft, round, and already evolved with a cool climate, cedary, herbaceous note intermixed with black currant, chocolate, and tapenade characteristics, this medium-bodied, pleasant 2005 should be consumed over the next 7-10 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GambleFamily.aspWA 90 (12/2009): The outstanding 2005 Paramount (nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc blended with a touch of Petit Verdot) is an elegant, stylish, dark ruby/purple-colored effort displaying a cool mint character accompanied by blackberry, cassis, tobacco leaf, and licorice notes. This generous, medium to full-bodied red with lush, silky tannins can be drunk over the next 10-12+ years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GambleFamily.aspWS 87 (7/2008): Big, rich, intense and concentrated, this is a touch gamy, showing savory herb, dried currant and cedary oak notes, with firm, dry tannins. Impressive for its power and vibrancy. Has plenty of tannic muscle. Decant. Best from 2009 through 2014. 494 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GarricCellars.aspIWC 90+ (6/2006): (a Bordeaux blend based on 84% cabernet sauvignon) Bright, deep medium ruby color. Black cherry, cassis, bitter chocolate and mocha on the slightly medicinal, primary nose. Then juicy, spicy and bright, with cooler, high-pitched flavors of black cherry, spices and flowers. Less lush and porty than the 2002 version but fresher and more elegant. Finishes with good sweet tannins and very good length.WA 91 (12/2005): The inky/purple-hued 2003 Proprietary Red Wine, a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and the rest tiny portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, reveals copious notes of chocolate along with hints of melted tar, charcoal, black cherries, and currants. Full-bodied, dense, and well-balanced, it should drink well for 10-15 years. Interestingly, Paul Frank continues to sell much of his production to such high quality wineries as Pahlmeyer. He will undoubtedly do more and more estate bottling as his vineyard ages.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Gemstone.aspWS 91 (11/2004): Firm, dark, rich and concentrated, with intense, chewy tannins that match up well with layers of earthy currant, coffee, mint, blackberry, cedar, anise and spice. This is a big, expressive, intense wine that can be enjoyed now and should improve for the next several years. But the tannins may be an issue, so if you buy a few bottles, taste one early to judge for yourself. Best from 2005 through 2012. 1,367 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AndrewGeoffrey.aspWS 91 (11/2004): Firm, dark, rich and concentrated, with intense, chewy tannins that match up well with layers of earthy currant, coffee, mint, blackberry, cedar, anise and spice. This is a big, expressive, intense wine that can be enjoyed now and should improve for the next several years. But the tannins may be an issue, so if you buy a few bottles, taste one early to judge for yourself. Best from 2005 through 2012. 1,367 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/AndrewGeoffrey.aspWS 91 (12/2002): Ripe, rich and well-focused, with layers of currant, coffee, toffee, cedar and black cherry. The flavors are intense and concentrated, with a long, persistent finish and just the right amount of tannin.--'81/'91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2006.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GeyserPeak.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GeyserPeak.aspWS 86 (2/1990): Has a ripe, effusively fruity style with plenty of depth and tannin. The plum and currant flavors are well focused, but could use a shade more richness and depth. The finish gets tannic. Drink now through 1998.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Girard.aspWS 86 (2/1990): Has a ripe, effusively fruity style with plenty of depth and tannin. The plum and currant flavors are well focused, but could use a shade more richness and depth. The finish gets tannic. Drink now through 1998.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Girard.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Girasole.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Girasole.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Girasole.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GordonBrothers.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GordonBrothers.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspWS 94 (2/2001): Dark and maturing, with complex black cherry,coffee, wild berry, stewed plum, cedar and anise flavors that are concentrated and elegant.Finishes with mild but sufficient tannins. Drinks exceptionally well now.--California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 154 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspWA 94 (12/1996): The 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon is the last wine made from the original vineyard plantings. The opaque purple color is accompanied by an explosive bouquet of blackcurrants and cherries, intermingled with toasty, new oak. Full-bodied, with a lead pencil, cedary, cassis-like characteristic not dissimilar from a high class Pauillac, this tightly-knit yet formidably-endowed Cabernet Sauvignon should last for 20-25 years.WS 94 (5/1997): A well-crafted red from a small-production winery, this Cabernet is young, tight and well concentrated, with a brilliant core of currant, black cherry, cedar and spice nuances. Big, ripe, complex and firmly tannic, it should age well for up to a decade and, given the tannin level (and price), it's best cellared until 2002. 175 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 91 (6/1998): Saturated deep ruby-red. Expressive aromas of black cherry, brown spices and cocoa powder. Sweet and rich in the mouth; a step up in density and length from the above wines. Finishes long, with a burst of kirsch flavor. Tannins are in harmony with the wine.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspWS 94 (11/2004): Sturdy and concentrated, with rich flavors that build on a core of tight currant, black cherry, pencil lead, fresh earth, herbs and toasty oak, finishing with a complex aftertaste that's long and focused. Best from 2005 through 2015. 325 cases made. (JL)http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspWS 94 (11/2004): Sturdy and concentrated, with rich flavors that build on a core of tight currant, black cherry, pencil lead, fresh earth, herbs and toasty oak, finishing with a complex aftertaste that's long and focused. Best from 2005 through 2015. 325 cases made. (JL)http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspWA 89 (2/2005): This dense ruby/purple-colored 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits classic aromas of loamy soil, black currants, and cherries along with hints of new saddle leather, spice, dried herbs, and new wood. With medium body and elegant flavors, this still firm, tannic 2002 should be at its finest between 2007-2014.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspWA 89 (2/2005): This dense ruby/purple-colored 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits classic aromas of loamy soil, black currants, and cherries along with hints of new saddle leather, spice, dried herbs, and new wood. With medium body and elegant flavors, this still firm, tannic 2002 should be at its finest between 2007-2014.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 90 (2/2006): Deep, bright ruby-red. A real potpourri of a nose: clove, cinnamon, sandalwood, orange peel and licorice. Then sweet, round and rich, but with very strong, if not exotic, oak spices; I was reminded of mulled cider. Fairly large-scaled for a cabernet from this estate. Finishes with a note of chocolate and supple tannins that coat the entire mouth. The Grace cabernet appears to be sacrificing some floral delicacy in favor of more sweetness and weight, partly through the use of a higher percentage of new oak.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 90 (2/2006): Deep, bright ruby-red. A real potpourri of a nose: clove, cinnamon, sandalwood, orange peel and licorice. Then sweet, round and rich, but with very strong, if not exotic, oak spices; I was reminded of mulled cider. Fairly large-scaled for a cabernet from this estate. Finishes with a note of chocolate and supple tannins that coat the entire mouth. The Grace cabernet appears to be sacrificing some floral delicacy in favor of more sweetness and weight, partly through the use of a higher percentage of new oak.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 90 (2/2006): Deep, bright ruby-red. A real potpourri of a nose: clove, cinnamon, sandalwood, orange peel and licorice. Then sweet, round and rich, but with very strong, if not exotic, oak spices; I was reminded of mulled cider. Fairly large-scaled for a cabernet from this estate. Finishes with a note of chocolate and supple tannins that coat the entire mouth. The Grace cabernet appears to be sacrificing some floral delicacy in favor of more sweetness and weight, partly through the use of a higher percentage of new oak.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 91-94 (6/2007): Deep, bright ruby-red. Highly complex aromas of raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, mocha, minerals, tobacco and sexy, smoky oak. Broad and dense but airy, with lovely mineral lift to the berry and chocolate flavors. This rather powerful and highly promising wine finishes with serious, chewy tannins and excellent length. Winemaker Gary Brookman noted that the team here dropped crop three times but still brought in 13 tons of fruit for 3 acres; the previous high had been just over 8! Brookman believes that 2005 combines the richness and opulence of vintages like 2004 and 2002 with the classic character and backbone of 2003 and 2001.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 88 (6/2004): Red-ruby. Aromas of eucalyptus, smoke and meat. Sweet, supple and fairly fat, with flavors of eucalyptus and tomato. Suggests a rather wide range of ripeness.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 88 (6/2004): Red-ruby. Aromas of eucalyptus, smoke and meat. Sweet, supple and fairly fat, with flavors of eucalyptus and tomato. Suggests a rather wide range of ripeness.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 88 (6/2004): Red-ruby. Aromas of eucalyptus, smoke and meat. Sweet, supple and fairly fat, with flavors of eucalyptus and tomato. Suggests a rather wide range of ripeness.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 88 (6/2004): Red-ruby. Aromas of eucalyptus, smoke and meat. Sweet, supple and fairly fat, with flavors of eucalyptus and tomato. Suggests a rather wide range of ripeness.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspWS 88 (7/2005): A minty flavor permeates this wine. Rich and fleshy, with fine balance. With aeration, rich currant and berry flavors rise up to give a broader range of flavors. Best from 2006 through 2012. 450 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspIWC 90-92 (6/2008): Medium ruby. Redcurrant and cherry fruit aromas are currently overshadowed by pungent eucalyptus and pepper. Then surprisingly sweet and creamy in the middle palate, with lovely intensity of red fruit flavor. Not hugely complex but the minty character is much less pronounced in the mouth. Finishes with very smooth tannins and excellent persistence.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GraceFamilyVineyards.aspWS 91 (5/2004): Decidedly gamy, especially in the aroma, with elegant structure and refined cherry and spice flavors that linger into a long, refined finish. Best from 2005 through 2012. 220 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PatriciaGreen.aspIWC 90 (6/2009): Vivid red. Full-blown red fruit and floral aromas are complicated by smoky Asian spices and flowers. Pliant, gently sweet strawberry and raspberry flavors pick up gentle spice and herb notes on the back end. This is very appealing now, and I'd drink it over the next couple of years for its open-knit, juicy qualities. WA 85 (10/2009): The 2007 Pinot Noir Balcombe was disappointing in the context of the entire portfolio. The aromatics reveal green herbal notes and eucalyptus. The wine is better on the palate but comes off as light, pleasant, and superficial.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PatriciaGreen.aspWS 87 (11/1992): Ripe and elegant, with rich, lively black cherry and currant-tinged flavors that are intense and concentrated. Has smooth, polished tannins and a ripe, hot finish that offers hints of raisin.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GrgichHills.aspWS 91 (11/1998): Wows you with finesse and elegance. Openly ripe and fruity, with supple, fleshy, plummy Cabernet flavors, hints of cedar and spice, finishing with a clean, polished aftertaste and supple tannins. Builds intensity on the aftertaste, so cellaring short-term is our advice. Best from 2000 through 2007. 13,500 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GrgichHills.aspWS 87 (12/1999): Mature, with drying orange peel, apricot, pear, anise and toast. Turns dry and a bit tannic, with a tobacco edge. Riesling and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2004. 3,687 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/GrgichHills.aspWS 89 (10/2002): Packs in lots of ripe and complex currant, tea and cedary oak flavors, with touches of green herb and tobacco, and finishes with firm, crisp tannins. Needs time. Best from 2003 through 2010. 9,900 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Groth.aspWS 89 (10/2002): Packs in lots of ripe and complex currant, tea and cedary oak flavors, with touches of green herb and tobacco, and finishes with firm, crisp tannins. Needs time. Best from 2003 through 2010. 9,900 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Groth.aspWS 93 (5/2003): A mix of flavors stretching from ripe currant to herb, coffee grinds, earth and tobacco. Smooth-textured, with excellent depth and enough concentration and complexity to merit further cellaring. Drink now through 2009. 1,400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Groth.aspWS 87 (8/2003): Elegantly styled, with a trim, somewhat green edge to the cedary currant, spice and herbal-tobacco flavors that offer modest richness and concentration. Ultimately simple for what is usually a rather dramatic, flamboyant wine. At this price, it's a pass. Drink now through 2010. 1,700 cases made.WA 84 (12/2003): The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is not terribly impressive. It is a lean, austere effort with little texture, tough tannin, and an absence of depth. It continues to amaze me that Groth’s 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve was the first California wine upon which I bestowed a perfect rating, but it has been a long time since I have been able to highly recommend anything from this winery.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Groth.aspWA 92 (2/2011) The 2009 Chardonnay Cahill Lane (from the old Wente clone off a vineyard in front of Hansel's house) is a deeper wine offering notes of white peaches, pears, white currants, unbuttered popcorn, hazelnuts and subtle smoke. It is a perfumed, medium to full-bodied white that admirably showcases the purity and elegance of this vintage for Burgundian varietals. IWC 92 (6/2011): Bright gold. Leesy, mineral-accented pear skin, peach and smoked meat aromas expand with air, picking up pungent floral and iodine qualities. Sappy, deeply concentrated orchard fruit and melon flavors are brightened by zesty minerality, which adds focus and grip to the back end. Smoothly blends power and finesse, finishing with outstanding thrust and smoky persistence.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WalterHansel.aspIWC 91 (6/2007): Dark red. Smoky cherry and dark berries on the nose, plus hints of licorice and mocha. Velvety red and dark berry liqueur flavors are impressively deep and wrapped in soft tannins. The wine's sweetness builds on the long, sappy finish, which features suave Indian spices and vanilla.WA 90-92 (12/2006): The 2005 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane, made primarily from Dijon Clones 114 and 115, boasts a dark ruby color in addition to a sumptuous bouquet of black cherries, cool leafy notes, forest floor, and subtle oak, and superb length as well as richness. It should evolve for a decade or more. Kudos to Stephen Hansel for keeping prices so realistic.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WalterHansel.aspIWC 3 (6/2011): Vivid ruby. Smoky cherry, blackberry, spicecake and floral scents are complicated by a subtle herbal quality. Pliant red and dark berry flavors show excellent depth and seductive sweetness, picking up cola and violet nuances with air. Leaves bitter cherry and blackberry liqueur notes behind, along with a hint of candied flowers. This has the structure and focus to age. WA 91-94 (2/2011): Made from tiny yields, the 2009 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane comes from Dijon clones 114 and 115 and the Rochioli Selection. It reveals a slightly sweeter fruit profile along with abundant notes of black raspberries, black cherries, earth and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy with a richer, more authoritative, deeper style than the Estate cuvee, it should drink well when released and evolve for 7-10 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WalterHansel.aspWA 95+ (2/2011): A selection of the finest barrels, the 2009 Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce (named for Stephen Hansel’s mother) is fashioned from both the old Wente clone and the newer Dijon Clone 95. This Chardonnay possesses all the same characteristics as are found in The North Slope, but more structure, restraint and possibly more aging potential. This intense 2009 reveals that overwhelming elegance that is a hallmark of this vintage. The most backward of these estate Chardonnays, it should last for a decade. IWC 93 (6/2011): Bright yellow. Pungent aromas of grapefruit, lemon zest, saffron and mint, with an underpinning of smoky minerals. Dusty citrus and apple flavors are complemented by a sexy floral quality and enlivened by zesty minerality. Finishes with excellent clarity and stony thrust, the floral note repeating. This taut, dry, deeply concentrated chardonnay should age gracefully.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WalterHansel.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WalterHansel.aspWA 90-93 (12/2005): The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Pinot Noir The South Slope (600 cases produced from clone 777) is the highest elevation Pinot in this portfolio. Sweet, broad, heady, perfumed, and rich, with abundant fruit, this showy Pinot is typical of this vintage. It should be much more accessible than the 2003 when released in late 2005.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WalterHansel.aspIWC 93 (6/2011): Bright ruby. Deep, vibrant aromas of black raspberry, red cherry, rose petal, black pepper and oak spices. Densely packed but sharply delineated, with juicy, intense dark berry and cherry compote flavors. For an ample wine this comes as shockingly linear. Finishes with ripe tannins, excellent persistence and a clinging floral note. WA 92-94 (2/2011): The 2009 Pinot Noir The South Slope comes from the highest elevation parcel owned by Hansel, a 7-acre sector planted with Dijon Clone 777. Another impressive Pinot, it exhibits a more full-bodied, intense style with lots of black cherry, raspberry, foresty, floral notes, a sensational texture, a rich, concentrated, opulent mouthfeel, and a long, luxurious finish. This stunning Pinot Noir is already providing plenty of pleasure and it should continue to do so for 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WalterHansel.aspWA 100 (12/2000): The 1997 Harlan Estate is one of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines I have ever tasted. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this enormously-endowed, profoundly rich wine must be tasted to be believed. Opaque purple-colored, it boasts spectacular, soaring aromatics of vanilla, minerals, coffee, blackberries, licorice, and cassis. In the mouth, layer after layer unfold powerfully yet gently. Acidity, tannin, and alcohol are well-balanced by the wine's unreal richness and singular personality. The finish exceeds one minute. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2030.IWC 97 (6/2000): Saturated ruby. Liqueur-like superripe nose combines roasted cherry, black raspberry, minerals and Valrhona chocolate; distinctly port-like notes. Voluptuous and huge in the mouth, with explosive fruit bordering on confectionary; flavor of chocolate-covered currants. Much more powerfully structured than the estate second wine but the backbone is hidden under a tidal wave of lush fruit. Endless finish features extraordinarily fine, suave tannins. Like the '97 Bryant Family Vineyard cabernet, this freakishly ripe wine reminds me of a great '47 Pomerol.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 100 (12/2000): The 1997 Harlan Estate is one of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines I have ever tasted. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this enormously-endowed, profoundly rich wine must be tasted to be believed. Opaque purple-colored, it boasts spectacular, soaring aromatics of vanilla, minerals, coffee, blackberries, licorice, and cassis. In the mouth, layer after layer unfold powerfully yet gently. Acidity, tannin, and alcohol are well-balanced by the wine's unreal richness and singular personality. The finish exceeds one minute. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2030.IWC 97 (6/2000): Saturated ruby. Liqueur-like superripe nose combines roasted cherry, black raspberry, minerals and Valrhona chocolate; distinctly port-like notes. Voluptuous and huge in the mouth, with explosive fruit bordering on confectionary; flavor of chocolate-covered currants. Much more powerfully structured than the estate second wine but the backbone is hidden under a tidal wave of lush fruit. Endless finish features extraordinarily fine, suave tannins. Like the '97 Bryant Family Vineyard cabernet, this freakishly ripe wine reminds me of a great '47 Pomerol.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWS 97 (11/2002): Enormously complex, rich and concentrated, with layers of currant, black cherry, blackberry and chocolate-mocha flavors that are intense and focused, finishing with a long, detailed aftertaste that keeps revealing extra facets of flavor and depth. Best from 2004 through 2020. 1,700 cases made.IWC 96+ (6/2002): Full medium ruby. Superripe, deep nose offers currant, plum, black cherry, truffle, smoke, meat and cedary spices. A wine of great sweetness and flavor intensity; remarkably suave in spite of its great solidity. Offers an almost liqueur-like ripeness and great density but sound acids keep the wine lively. Palate-staining aftertaste features substantial tongue-dusting but fine tannins. As extraordinary as the nearly confectionery, more roasted Harlan Estate '97 is, this wine may well have more verve.WA 92 (8/2002): The 1999 Harlan Estate (1,700 cases) reveals moderately intense aromatics of sweet vanilla, menthol, espresso, chocolate, and cassis. The wine is medium to full-bodied, suave, and elegant. It is more restrained and not as intense as previous vintages, reflecting 1999's cool growing season. Nevertheless, this is still an outstanding wine. The finish is long, elegant, and Bordeaux-like. It is not as prodigious as the Harlans produced between 1991 and 1998. I would rank it behind all those wines. Anticipated maturity: now-2016.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 91 (12/2003): I have never been totally convinced by the 2000 Harlan Estate, but now that it’s in bottle, it is a very fine offering. The problem is that it must be compared with the other Harlan Estate wines made to date. A Graves-like perfume of roasted coffee, scorched earth, black currants, cedar, and a hint of menthol emerge from this dense dark ruby/purple-colored 2000. Lighter than normal, but medium to full-bodied and elegant, with soft tannin as well as a silky, precocious personality and texture, it can be drunk now and over the next 12 years.IWC 92 (6/2003): Deep ruby-red. High-toned aromas of dusty currant, black raspberry, graphite and minerals. Very suave, minerally and vibrant, but less obviously ripe and smaller-scaled than the great '99, which showed explosive aromatics, remarkable breadth and texture, and great inner-mouth energy in early March, meriting 95 points. With a bit less mid-palate thickness and extract, the tannins in this 2000 are more apparent than those of the 1999.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 97 (12/2008): Not unexpectedly, the 2005 Harlan Estate performed slightly better than it did last year. As these wines often do, it continues to put on weight as it is bottled very late by Napa standards, and there is no fining or filtration. The 2005 exhibits a gorgeous thick-looking, ruby/purple color in addition to a beautiful nose of burning embers interwoven with creme de cassis, roasted meats, sweet black truffles, and spring flowers. A hint of lead pencil shavings also emerges from this cuvee, which seems to want to be both a Pauillac and a ripe vintage of La Mission Haut Brion. Full-bodied, dense, pure, and revealing sweeter tannin than I remember, it can be drunk now, but it will no doubt display even greater complexity in 10, 20, and 30 years.IWC 97 (6/2008): Full bright ruby. A black hole of a nose: cassis, black raspberry, mocha and licorice, with a suggestion of almost roasted fruits. Then utterly palate-saturating, with a distinctly layered texture to the dark fruit and mineral flavors. Impeccably balanced, fresh wine with a spectacular slow-building finish that coats the palate with a flavor of black raspberry. A knockout. WS 94 (12/2008): Dense and earthy, with savory herb, dried currant, spice, mint and cedary oak flavors, all tightly wound, compact and concentrated, yet with a seam of elegance and finesse. Very intense and powerful. To be released spring 2009. Best from 2011 through 2018. 1,850 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 100 (12/2010): The prodigious 2007 Harlan Estate reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 2002 with a touch of the controversial 1997. Dense plum/purple-colored with sweet aromas of barbecue smoke, blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, hot rocks and subtle oak, it is a splendidly opulent, pure wine with a skyscraper-like texture as well as stunningly deep fruit that expands gracefully across the palate. The finish lasts nearly a full minute. Because of its overwhelming richness and sweet tannins, this brilliant wine seems to be approachable now, but I suspect further nuances and complexity will emerge after 4-5 years in the bottle. This wine will still be going strong at age 25-30. IWC 97 (6/2010): Good deep ruby-red. Knockout nose combines dark berries, graphite, cedar and flowers. The palate offers uncanny clarity and depth of flavor, combining elegance and density in the way of a Bordeaux first growth. Wonderful energy and length here, as well as inner-palate floral lift. A great vintage for Harlan Estate, with nothing overdone about it. WS 96 (10/2010): Intense and a bit rustic, with complex loamy earth, dried currant, black licorice, mocha, roasted herb, porcini and toasty oak. Full-bodied and balanced, deep, focused and persistent, ending with pebbly, minerally notes and firm tannins. To be released spring 2011. Best from 2012 through 2024. 1,370 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 91 (12/2003): Those lots deemed not quite up to the standards of the Melbury, Vecina, and St. Eden labels are blended together to form Bond’s second wine, The Matriarch. This is a second wine in name only. The complex 1999 The Matriarch displays a deep plum/purple color along with sweet, succulent aromas of smoky oak, lead pencil shavings, and a sexy concoction of chocolate, black currants, and licorice. Drink this rich, medium to full-bodied beauty over the next 10-12 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 93 (12/2008): I think the 2004 Matriarch is opulent and impressive. Dark ruby/purple, beautifully exotic and full-bodied, with notes of incense, toasty oak, blackberry, licorice, and chocolate espresso, the wine is round, fleshy, and succulent. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years.IWC 92 (6/2007): Good red-ruby. Plum, mocha and chocolate on the nose. Lush and seamless on the palate, with a sappy, liqueur-like raspberry flavor complicated by leather and smoke. There's something Bordeaux-like about this broad but lively wine. Perhaps ultimately less suave than the young 2005 but today this is even longer. WS 91 (10/2007): Rich, almost thick and syrupy, with loamy, savory currant and black olive flavors that are compact and focused, all presented in a supple, graceful style. Finishes long and persistent. Best from 2009 through 2013. 1,481 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 93 (12/2008): The lush, opulent, flamboyant 2005 Matriarch offers copious quantities of black cherry and black currant fruit, lead pencil, and earth. Already delicious, it hits just about every sweet spot on the palate. Enjoy it over the next 12-15+ years.IWC 92 (6/2008): Good deep ruby-red. Blackcurrant, minerals, mocha and sexy spices on the musky, slightly gamey nose. Big, lush and sweet but with sneaky acidity giving shape to the creamy flavors. I like this very rich wine's exhilarating high tones in the middle palate. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and noteworthy energy. A worthy follow-up to the excellent 2004.WS 90 (10/2008): Notes of smoky currant and black and red licorice, with herb and cedar hints, give this a nice range of flavors, firming up on the finish. Best from 2010 through 2017. 1,530 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspIWC 94+ (6/2010): Bright ruby. Ripe aromas of sweet plum and smoky tobacco. Very intensely flavored and juicy, with firm acidity and strong minerality giving grip to the smoky red fruit flavors. This, too, boasts terrific definition. Tightened up considerably in the glass, giving the same tightly coiled impression as the 2006 version. I suspect this brisk, structured wine will shortly shut down in the bottle. WA 94 (12/2009): The 2006 Melbury has a dense plum/purple color and a big, sweet, scorched earth, creme de cassis and blueberry nose, with hints of charcoal, spice box, and graphite. Rich, well-made, and showing exceptionally well from bottle, it is a wine that will certainly evolve for 25 or more years. WS 92 (11/2009): Dense and chewy, well-oaked and concentrated, with dried currant, herb, sage and cedary oak flavors that are firm and structured. A big style, with a tannin level that will require patience. Best from 2010 through 2017. 706 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspIWC 94+ (6/2010): Bright ruby. Ripe aromas of sweet plum and smoky tobacco. Very intensely flavored and juicy, with firm acidity and strong minerality giving grip to the smoky red fruit flavors. This, too, boasts terrific definition. Tightened up considerably in the glass, giving the same tightly coiled impression as the 2006 version. I suspect this brisk, structured wine will shortly shut down in the bottle. WA 94 (12/2009): The 2006 Melbury has a dense plum/purple color and a big, sweet, scorched earth, creme de cassis and blueberry nose, with hints of charcoal, spice box, and graphite. Rich, well-made, and showing exceptionally well from bottle, it is a wine that will certainly evolve for 25 or more years. WS 92 (11/2009): Dense and chewy, well-oaked and concentrated, with dried currant, herb, sage and cedary oak flavors that are firm and structured. A big style, with a tannin level that will require patience. Best from 2010 through 2017. 706 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspIWC 94+ (6/2010): Bright ruby. Ripe aromas of sweet plum and smoky tobacco. Very intensely flavored and juicy, with firm acidity and strong minerality giving grip to the smoky red fruit flavors. This, too, boasts terrific definition. Tightened up considerably in the glass, giving the same tightly coiled impression as the 2006 version. I suspect this brisk, structured wine will shortly shut down in the bottle. WA 94 (12/2009): The 2006 Melbury has a dense plum/purple color and a big, sweet, scorched earth, creme de cassis and blueberry nose, with hints of charcoal, spice box, and graphite. Rich, well-made, and showing exceptionally well from bottle, it is a wine that will certainly evolve for 25 or more years. WS 92 (11/2009): Dense and chewy, well-oaked and concentrated, with dried currant, herb, sage and cedary oak flavors that are firm and structured. A big style, with a tannin level that will require patience. Best from 2010 through 2017. 706 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 97 (12/2010): Out of bottle, the 2007 Melbury is even more impressive than it was from barrel. Aromas of cedarwood, barbecue spice, licorice, spring flowers, black currants and sweet kirsch jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored wine. A full-bodied texture, wonderful opulence, sweet velvety tannins and an extraordinary integration of all its component parts make for a prodigious Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25-30+ years.IWC 94+ (6/2010): Bright ruby. Ripe aromas of sweet plum and smoky tobacco. Very intensely flavored and juicy, with firm acidity and strong minerality giving grip to the smoky red fruit flavors. This, too, boasts terrific definition. Tightened up considerably in the glass, giving the same tightly coiled impression as the 2006 version. I suspect this brisk, structured wine will shortly shut down in the bottle. WS 92 (10/2010): Firm, intense and vibrant, with dense, vivid wild berry, raspberry and blackberry fruit that's ripe, tight and framed by toasty, cedary oak flavors. Full-bodied, ending with chewy tannins, this needs both time and aeration. The most reserved of the Bond wines. To be released spring 2011. Best from 2012 through 2022. 473 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspIWC 96 (6/2009): Saturated bright ruby. Black fruits, mocha and a whiff of truffle on the rather clenched, slightly porty nose. Plush, sweet and large-scaled, but with almost surprising vinosity giving shape to the flavors of dark berries, coffee, mocha and iron. A huge wine with outstanding palate-staining persistence. The major tannins spread out to saturate every square millimeter of the palate. WA 94 (12/2009): The 2006 E Pluribus, like all of these Cabernet Sauvignons, is youthful, with an opaque purple color and a big, sweet nose of blueberry liqueur intermixed with spring flowers and wet rocks. Full-bodied, powerful, and backward, with sweet tannin but formidable structure, this wine needs to be cellared for 4-5 years and drunk over the following 25 years. WS 90 (11/2009): Rich and deeply concentrated, almost syrupy in its density, with potent currant, mineral, sage and dusty, cedary oak. Tightly wound, backward and closed, yet the focus and concentration are noteworthy. Needs time. Drink now through 2016. 761 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspIWC 96 (6/2009): Saturated bright ruby. Black fruits, mocha and a whiff of truffle on the rather clenched, slightly porty nose. Plush, sweet and large-scaled, but with almost surprising vinosity giving shape to the flavors of dark berries, coffee, mocha and iron. A huge wine with outstanding palate-staining persistence. The major tannins spread out to saturate every square millimeter of the palate. WA 94 (12/2009): The 2006 E Pluribus, like all of these Cabernet Sauvignons, is youthful, with an opaque purple color and a big, sweet nose of blueberry liqueur intermixed with spring flowers and wet rocks. Full-bodied, powerful, and backward, with sweet tannin but formidable structure, this wine needs to be cellared for 4-5 years and drunk over the following 25 years. WS 90 (11/2009): Rich and deeply concentrated, almost syrupy in its density, with potent currant, mineral, sage and dusty, cedary oak. Tightly wound, backward and closed, yet the focus and concentration are noteworthy. Needs time. Drink now through 2016. 761 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspIWC 93 (6/2009): from uplifted riverbed soil rich in volcanic ash and cobblestones, in an area behind Phelps and Heitz known as Spring Valley) Saturated ruby. Musky aromas of blue and black fruits, truffle, tobacco and loam, all lifted by an ineffable mineral perfume. Lush, suave and sweet, with juicy acidity framing the black cherry, dark chocolate and mineral flavors. The long, rising finish features very ripe, fine-grained tannins and sneaky intensity of flavor. WS 93 (11/2009): Complex, perfumed aromas of ripe cherry, plum and currant tighten up in this full-bodied, well-structured wine. Focused and concentrated, this slowly unfolds to reveal greater depth and concentration, ending with a long, persistent finish. Best from 2011 through 2017. 739 cases made.WA 92 (12/2009): The newest entry into these single-vineyard wines (which are virtually all 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is the 2006 Quella. Dense purple, this wine comes across as the most austere of any of these wines. This dense, rich, elegant wine displays impressive notes of espresso roast intermixed with blackberry and floral-infused blue fruits, but in the finish the tannins kick in, and the wine seems closed and in need of considerable aging. I would sit on this for a good half dozen years, and drink it over the following two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspIWC 93 (6/2009): from uplifted riverbed soil rich in volcanic ash and cobblestones, in an area behind Phelps and Heitz known as Spring Valley) Saturated ruby. Musky aromas of blue and black fruits, truffle, tobacco and loam, all lifted by an ineffable mineral perfume. Lush, suave and sweet, with juicy acidity framing the black cherry, dark chocolate and mineral flavors. The long, rising finish features very ripe, fine-grained tannins and sneaky intensity of flavor. WS 93 (11/2009): Complex, perfumed aromas of ripe cherry, plum and currant tighten up in this full-bodied, well-structured wine. Focused and concentrated, this slowly unfolds to reveal greater depth and concentration, ending with a long, persistent finish. Best from 2011 through 2017. 739 cases made.WA 92 (12/2009): The newest entry into these single-vineyard wines (which are virtually all 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is the 2006 Quella. Dense purple, this wine comes across as the most austere of any of these wines. This dense, rich, elegant wine displays impressive notes of espresso roast intermixed with blackberry and floral-infused blue fruits, but in the finish the tannins kick in, and the wine seems closed and in need of considerable aging. I would sit on this for a good half dozen years, and drink it over the following two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 97 (12/2010): The 2007 Quella performed slightly better than I predicted last year. A magical combination of blueberry liqueur intermixed with crushed rock, spring flowers (violets?), earth, pen ink and burning ember leads to a full-bodied, majestically rich wine with a multilayered texture, silky tannins and a phenomenally long finish of over 50 seconds. This sensational 2007 should drink well for 25-30+ years. WS 96 (10/2010): A tremendous effort, firm, intense, dense and concentrated, offering a wonderful mix of mineral, fresh earth, dried currant and herb, with touches of tobacco and cedar. Full-bodied, yet at points supple given its youth, but the finish sails on and on. To be released spring 2011. Best from 2013 through 2024. 476 cases made. IWC 93 (6/2010): From an uplifted river bottom rich in cobblestones, in an area behind Phelps and Heitz known as Spring Valley) Deep ruby. Superripe aromas of plum, blueberry and violet. Like liquid silk on the palate, conveying powerful early sweetness and an utterly seamless quality to its dark fruit flavors. Impressively broad wine, finishing with substantial tannins and rising length. But comes across as less complex today than the young Melbury.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 96 (12/2008): Even more captivating than the 2005 Melbury, with extraordinary depth and palate presence is the dense ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied 2005 St. Eden. It possesses the bluer, blacker fruits that seem to come from this area of Pritchard Hill in addition to extraordinary notes of charcoal, acacia flowers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur. This seamlessly constructed 2005 is a sensational effort that is displaying even greater potential than I saw last year. It will drink beautifully for three decades.IWC 95 (6/2008): Good full ruby. Currant, tobacco, cedar, mocha and sweet oak on the nose, with a suggestion of singed fruit. Rich, creamy and broad; this is almost too big for the mouth. The sweetness of fruit and minerality here are utterly compelling and the wine's perfectly integrated acidity gives it a near-perfect balance. Finishes with noble tannins and outstanding persistence. A beauty.WS 92 (10/2008): Intense and vibrant, with a tight core of spicy currant, black cherry and wild berry fruit shaded by toasty, creamy oak and ending with a nice focus on the core flavors. To be released spring 2009. Best from 2010 through 2017. 755 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 94 (12/2009): From the valley floor vineyard in Oakville, the 2006 St. Eden has shed some of its tannic clout of last year and taken on a generously endowed style, with stunning black fruits, roasted herbs, sweet cassis, graphite, and new oak. Fleshy and even opulent (an anomaly for a 2006), this is an impressively endowed Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25 years. IWC 93+ (6/2009): Good medium ruby. Aromas of blackberry, crushed blueberry and menthol; a bit reminiscent of a very young vintage port. Then powerful, thick and deep, with chewy flavors of blueberry and minerals. Finishes with big, tongue-clenching tannins and superb length. Quite primary today and in need of at least several years of cellaring. WS 90 (11/2009): Tight, structured and full-bodied, with firm dried currant, mineral, sage and cedary oak, this slowly unfolds to reveal great depth and complexity, but needs time in the cellar or a long decant. Best from 2011 through 2017. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 731 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 94 (12/2009): From the valley floor vineyard in Oakville, the 2006 St. Eden has shed some of its tannic clout of last year and taken on a generously endowed style, with stunning black fruits, roasted herbs, sweet cassis, graphite, and new oak. Fleshy and even opulent (an anomaly for a 2006), this is an impressively endowed Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25 years. IWC 93+ (6/2009): Good medium ruby. Aromas of blackberry, crushed blueberry and menthol; a bit reminiscent of a very young vintage port. Then powerful, thick and deep, with chewy flavors of blueberry and minerals. Finishes with big, tongue-clenching tannins and superb length. Quite primary today and in need of at least several years of cellaring. WS 90 (11/2009): Tight, structured and full-bodied, with firm dried currant, mineral, sage and cedary oak, this slowly unfolds to reveal great depth and complexity, but needs time in the cellar or a long decant. Best from 2011 through 2017. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 731 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 96 (12/2008): The 2005 Vecina is also strutting its stuff. I can’t say it showed better than it did last year, but this wine comes close to perfection for my palate. Made in a Graves-like style, it exhibits scents of roasted herbs, espresso, scorched rocks, and liquid minerals seamlessly integrated into a full-bodied, dense wine offering a cascade of black cherries and black currants. Built for the long haul, this powerful 2005 is soft enough to be drunk early, but it will not hit its stride for at least a decade, and should age for three decades thereafter.IWC 94+ (6/2008): Good full ruby. Wild aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, bitter chocolate, mocha and violet. Then chewy and brooding in the mouth, with a youthfully medicinal black cherry flavor dominating. Aeration brought some explosive blackberry, mineral and graphite flavors, but today this highly concentrated wine is locked up by its powerful tannins. This one will need a solid decade of cellaring and may ultimately merit a significantly higher score. Last year I compared this wine to a Latour or Leoville-Las Cases, and that's the same impression I got this time around.WS 94 (10/2008): Intense and racy wild berry and blackberry fruit is flashy, tight, pure, focused and beautifully defined, picking up a nice dusty berry edge, with hints of black licorice, and offering wonderful depth, richness and persistence. To be released spring 2009. Best from 2010 through 2018. 700 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 95+ (12/2009): The 2006 Vecina has turned out even better than I expected last year. Graphite/lead pencil notes intermixed with hints of burning embers and charcoal, an opaque purple color, and sweet blackberry and roasted espresso notes are all present in this wine, which is masculine, muscular, tannic, but incredibly well-endowed and a potential candidate for 30 years of aging. This wine needs 4-5 years of cellaring and should last three decades. IWC 95 (6/2009): Deep ruby. Brooding, superripe, distinctly cabernet aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet and espresso. Sweet, densely packed and thick, with powerful flavors of crushed cassis and tobacco lifted by violet and licorice. Almost youthfully gritty today and in need of bottle aging to show its underlying shape. The huge tannins coat the front teeth and saturate the entire palate. Like a top Medoc wine on steroids. WS 88 (11/2009): Rustic and chewy, with a rich, earthy core of dried currant, loamy earth, sage, tobacco and spice, firming on the finish, where the tannins are dry and extracted. Needs time. Best from 2012 through 2017. 742 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 95+ (12/2009): The 2006 Vecina has turned out even better than I expected last year. Graphite/lead pencil notes intermixed with hints of burning embers and charcoal, an opaque purple color, and sweet blackberry and roasted espresso notes are all present in this wine, which is masculine, muscular, tannic, but incredibly well-endowed and a potential candidate for 30 years of aging. This wine needs 4-5 years of cellaring and should last three decades. IWC 95 (6/2009): Deep ruby. Brooding, superripe, distinctly cabernet aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet and espresso. Sweet, densely packed and thick, with powerful flavors of crushed cassis and tobacco lifted by violet and licorice. Almost youthfully gritty today and in need of bottle aging to show its underlying shape. The huge tannins coat the front teeth and saturate the entire palate. Like a top Medoc wine on steroids. WS 88 (11/2009): Rustic and chewy, with a rich, earthy core of dried currant, loamy earth, sage, tobacco and spice, firming on the finish, where the tannins are dry and extracted. Needs time. Best from 2012 through 2017. 742 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 94 (1/2000): Readers should not overlook the dense purple-colored 1997 Maiden, a creamy-textured, full-bodied, unctuously thick, rich wine. Jammy cassis, new oak, smoke, and espresso notes explode from the glass of this blockbuster. An amazing effort, it will drink well when released, and last for two decades.IWC 92 (6/2000): Saturated ruby. Pungent, roasted aromas of black raspberry, currant and maple syrup; distinct suggestions of surmaturite. Superb sweetness and roasted ripeness in the mouth. The tannins spread out to coat the entire palate, but ultimately come across as less supple and more rustic than those of the flagship Harlan Estate bottling. Still, this stains the palate with flavor.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWS 91 (12/2004): Complex and concentrated, with a potent core of ripe, rich blackberry, wild berry and black cherry fruit that's beautifully defined, finishing with firm, dry tannins and a whiff of herbaceousness. Drink now through 2009. 740 cases made. –JLWA 91 (12/2000): The 1998 Maiden is prodigious. I know it is tempting to pooh-pooh second wines, but this is no afterthought from owner Bill Harlan and the winemaking team of American Bob Levy and Frenchman Michel Rolland. The 1998 Maiden (770 cases) possesses a dense purple color and a knockout nose of cocoa, prunes, blackberries, plums, and cassis. Spicy, with moderate tannin, and a viscosity and richness akin to beef blood, it is a gorgeous, concentrated, thick effort. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2018.IWC 90 (6/2001): Good bright ruby. Aromatic nose of black cherry and licorice. Supple and pliant for the vintage, with slightly medicinal black cherry and black pepper flavors; shows very good but not outstanding depth. Finishes with dusty, slightly drying tannins and very good length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 90 (8/2002): The 1999 The Maiden (700 cases) is a more evolved, slightly lighter, less prodigious example of its bigger sibling, the Harlan Estate. The dense saturated purple-colored 1999 The Maiden exhibits an evolved sweet nose of cedar, black currants, licorice, and smoke as well as outstanding density, purity, and ripeness, medium to full body, and firm but unobtrusive tannin in the finish. It should drink well for 12-15 years, perhaps longer. As the wine sat in the glass, aromas of chocolate and cigar smoke emerged.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 89 (12/2003): The 2000 The Maiden reflects the softness and easy-going nature of the vintage. Attractive in a fruit-driven, earthy style with notions of dried herbs intermixed with espresso roast, cappuccino, white chocolate, and black currants, this modestly-endowed, evolved 2000 is best consumed over the next 8-10 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWS 93 (11/2009): Tightly wound, firm and concentrated, with a chewy core of dried currant, cedar, anise and mineral, yet for all its austerity there's a wonderful beam of ripe dark fruit that gains depth, nuance and length. Impressive for its structure and depth. Best from 2010 through 2017. 1,319 cases made.WA 91 (12/2009): The 2006 The Maiden is a supple, forward, lush, full-bodied effort revealing notes of cedar, spice box, loamy soil, red and black fruits, and earth. It can be consumed now and over the next 12-14 years. IWC 91 (6/2009): Good saturated ruby-red. High-pitched aromas of black cherry, licorice, violet and menthol. Thicker than the Bond Matriarch offering from the same winemaking team, but impressively vibrant for all its sweetness. Complex flavors of blackberry, raspberry, licorice, tobacco, smoke and iron are nicely framed by substantial firm-edged tannins.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HarlanEstate.aspWA 94+ (12/2005): The 2003 Chardonnay Stone Cote Vineyard tastes like a box of rocks drizzled with citrus oil. Poached pear, orange rind, stony white peach notes, and striking minerality are reminiscent of a Chevalier-Montrachet from the likes of Michel Niellon. With lovely body, acidity, and purity, it should be drunk over the next 4-5 years. IWC 88 (6/2005); Good pale color. Intriguing aromas of pear, stone fruits, ginger, nutmeg and wet stone. Lively, enticingly sweet flavors of pear and apple. Finishes dry, juicy and persistent.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HartfordCourt.aspIWC 90 (6/2006): Slightly hazy pale yellow-gold color. Aromas of apricot, nuts, brioche and flowers. Fat, round and seamless; rich and deep but not at all heavy. Sweet flavors of apricot and spices linger nicely on the back.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HartfordCourt.aspWA 90 (12/1996): The 1994 reveals that vintage's sweeter fruit, and harmonious personality. It has a dark ruby/purple color, followed by plenty of blackberry and blackcurrant-like fruit in the nose, complemented by some subtle toasty oak. The wine displays a richer, riper personality than the 1993, medium to full body, more layers of fruit, and finer integration of wood, tannin, and acidity. It is an impressively-endowed, outstanding, well-balanced Cabernet that admirably reflects its Stag's Leap origin. Anticipated maturity: 1999-2017http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Hartwell.aspWS 96 (11/2002): Absolutely gorgeous, beautifully defined fruit, with uncommon richness and purity of flavor, gushing with ripe currant, blackberry and wild berry fruit, revealing extra facets and dimensions, with a long, intricate, detailed finish. Firmly tannic, but a wealth of fruit pushes through. Best from 2003 through 2012. 1,300 cases made.WA 88 (8/2002): A dense ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of licorice, black fruit, earth, and new oak. The wine is medium to full-bodied, tannic, and generously endowed, with a tight, austere finish. This 1999 requires another 1-2 years of cellaring, and should provide fun drinking over the next 12-15 years.IWC 88 (12/2002): Red-ruby. Cassis, tobacco, licorice and menthol on the faintly herbaceous nose. Rich, thick and gamey, with cassis and tobacco flavors along with a lightly vegetal aspect. This rather supple, round wine has density and even some power. Finishes with ripe, chocolatey tannins and good length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Hartwell.aspWS 92 (3/2004): Dark, rich and polished, with a plush, textured core of blackberry, black cherry, plum and mocha, with hints of espresso and chocolate, finishing with a long, intricate aftertaste, with flavors that keep soaring. Drink now through 2010. 550 cases made.IWC 89 (2/2004): Ruby-red. Cassis and violets on the lively nose. Sweet, supple and juicy, with attractive flavors of dark berries, bitter chocolate and spicy oak, lifted by subtle floral and minty elements. At once lively and smooth, with a creaminess in the middle. Finishes with fine, sweet tannins and good juicy persistence.WA 88 (2/2005): Hartwell’s 2001 Merlot Stags Leap Estate offers a saturated deep ruby color in addition to attractive, sweet aromas of cherries, currants, and oak. Medium-bodied with surprising elegance as well as finesse, this cleanly made, well-balanced Merlot is ideal for drinking over the next 3-5 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Hartwell.aspWA 91 (12/2007): A blend of equal parts Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2004 Black and Blue Proprietary Red Wine is a more tightly knit wine meant for longer aging (the Cabernet firms it up as well as giving it more bulk and structure). The overall impression is one of opulent black fruits, spice box, licorice, and melted asphalt. Enjoy this ripe, medium-bodied, pure, well-made 2004 over the next 7-8 years.IWC 91+ (6/2007): (a 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and syrah) Good ruby-red color. Black and blue fruit aromas complicated by minerals, licorice and black pepper. Sweet, aromatic and tightly wound, with impressive inner-palate energy for the vintage. The blackberry and floral flavors are still a bit youthfully tough, and the wine's tight tannins call for patience.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Havens.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Hawley.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HaywoodVineyards.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HedgesEstate.aspWS 92 (12/2004): Dark ruby-garnet color. Complex aromas of ripe currant, mint, chocolate and black cherry, this is in pristine drinking condition, offering touches of mature Cabernet flavors while still retaining some youthful fresh fruit flavors. Excellent balance, depth and richness, with ripe tannins and fruit dominating the aftertaste.WA 92 (8/1994): With coaxing, a surprisingly tight bouquet offers up damp, woodsy aromas intermixed with scents of mint and ripe cassis. Full-bodied, firm, and admirably concentrated, with a wonderful layered palate, this impressively-endowed wine requires another 4-5 years of cellaring. The wine may be going through a closed stage of development as this bottle was less impressive than past tastings.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Heitz.aspWS 89 (5/2003): Openly minty aromas lead to a dry, earthy core of currant, chocolate and berry flavors that are complex and concentrated, if a bit dense and tight.--'92 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2008.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Heitz.aspWS 92 (11/2004): Spicy mint and bay leaf aromas mingle with ripe currant and black cherry fruit, turning smooth and elegant on the palate while displaying richness, depth and concentration; finishes with a full chorus of ripe fruit flavors and firm yet supple tannins. Drink now through 2012. 4,213 cases made. WA 87 (12/2005): I retasted the 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard (rated 88? in issue #157), and it is a hard style of wine that will unquestionably last 15-20 years, but falls short of my expectations in terms of concentration, complexity, and depth. The attractive bouquet offers sweet cassis, flower, and earth aromas. In the mouth, it reveals subtle oak, medium body, and an elegant personality with little depth or length beyond its charming, superficial appeal. This is a legendary cuvee, but we haven’t seen a great Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet in nearly twenty years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Heitz.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Heitz.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Hendry.aspWA 86 (3/1994): Of all the regular bottlings, the 1986 came across as one of the most tannic and tightly knit, with a closed, backward personality. There is enough fruit for optimism, but the wine is tart and unyielding, without the flesh and flattering personality of other Hess wines. Based on its performance in this tasting, it needs another 2-3 years of cellaring and should keep for 15 years. However, I am concerned about the tannin level vis a vis the wine's extraction.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HessCollection.aspWS 87 (11/1998): Fine balance for an '88, with ripe currant, olive, coffee, herb and tea notes, finishing with a nice balance of tannin and fruit.--1988 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2004.WA 84 (8/1994): Significantly lighter and less well-endowed than the 1989 Cabernet, this medium ruby-colored wine exhibits a straightforward bouquet of dusty oak, spice, and red fruits, medium body, and some tartness. Although the flavors reveal above average concentration, there is little complexity or follow through on the palate. There is light tannin in the finish, but this is primarily a wine for drinking over the next 7-8 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HessCollection.aspWS 92 (7/2007): Intense, rich and concentrated, with ripe, well-defined fruit built around ripe currant, blackberry and wild berry and framed by firm, chewy tannins. Shows off spicy, toasty oak. Best from 2008 through 2013. 980 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HiddenRidge.aspWS 94 (6/1986): No tasting note given.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WilliamHill.aspWA 70 (4/1995): My barrel tasting notes on this wine from 1987 read as follows, "staggering aromas of tar, blackcurrants, smoke, and violets; great color; fascinating richness ... very serious wine ... Bill Hill's finest wine to date?" Based on that tasting, I rated it a potential 92-95 and purchased it for my own cellar. In early tastings after bottling, the wine appeared closed and high in acidity, and totally unlike what I had tasted from barrel. This recent tasting confirmed my worst suspicions. Nearly ten years later, it is a disappointing, thin, attenuated, stripped wine that reveals none of the character it displayed in 1987. Undoubtedly, fining and sterile filtration did the damage. A loss of over 20 points in a wine's potential rating is nearly unprecedented in my seventeen years of professional wine tasting. This bottle was no different from others I have tasted. Thank goodness for charity wine auctions!http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/WilliamHill.aspWA 95 (12/2008): From another outstanding vineyard, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard’s scorched earth/burning ember, blueberry, graphite, and black currant characteristics are reminiscent of a top Bordeaux such as La Mission Haut-Brion. Dense, full-bodied and chewy with fabulous concentration, sweet tannins, and remarkable length, this profound Cabernet Sauvignon should last for 25-30 years. IWC 92+ (6/2009): Inky ruby. Red- and blackcurrant aromas, with an array of floral and herbal qualities adding complexity. Rich cherry and blackberry flavors are a touch brooding but gain sweetness and spiciness with air. The long finish features dark fruit and tobacco qualities. This one deserves patience.WS 87 (12/2009): Intense, ripe and concentrated, with vivid wild berry, black cherry, anise and sage flavors. Full-bodied, with crisp acidity and firm tannins before veering to drier notes. Best from 2010 through 2017. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 630 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 97 (6/2011): From the undeniable first-growth quality site comes the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard. When the fruit from this vineyard is handled properly, the resulting wine often flirts with perfection. Hobbs’ 2001 boasts a dense blue/purple color along with an incredibly pure nose of spice box, cedarwood, creme de cassis, blueberry pie and subtle smoke as well as graphite notes that could easily pass for a first- or second-growth Pauillac. Broad, expansive, full-bodied flavors reveal stunning purity, amazing depth and richness, and a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. Still youthful, but oh, so impressive, it is hard to resist now, but it should be even better in 5-8 years, and keep for 30-40+ years.WS 94 (10/2004): Smooth, dark, rich and seductive; a remarkably complex and concentrated wine brimming with ripe, silky currant, blackberry, black cherry and fresh earth and pencil lead nuances. It firms up nicely on the finish, exhibiting ripe, flavorful tannins and a long, persistent finish that reveals extra depth facets. Drink now through 2012. 895 cases made. IWC 91+ (6/2004): Deep, full ruby. Cassis, bitter chocolate and mint on the nose; if the Hyde cabernet is in the style of Bordeaux, this is quintessential Napa Valley. Tightly wound and extremely primary, with flavors of black fruits, licorice and menthol. Very firmly built, even a bit ungiving today, with the wine's 85% new oak component contributing to its substantial tannic clout. Will merit an even higher score if bottle aging brings more generosity of texture.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 97 (12/2005): After the perfect 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard (that’s right, I raised my score by a point), the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon comes across as slightly more mortal. One of the outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons of the vintage, it tastes like a California concoction of La Mission Haut Brion and Montrose. Its deep purple color is followed by a sumptuously pure nose of sweet scorched earth, hot rocks, creme de cassis, graphite, and charcoal. The tannin is sweet, but elevated. Full-bodied and powerful, with 20-25 years of life, this spectacularly rich, dense, multi-layered effort oozes classic Cabernet Sauvignon varietal character. IWC 92+ (6/2006): Ruby-red. Brooding aromas of cassis, violet and bitter chocolate. Sweet but tightly wound, with a flavor of crystallized dark berries framed by juicy acidity. Finishes with very fine, noble tannins and enticing lingering sweetness. WS 92 (10/2006): Supple and elegantly styled, with rich flavors built around a core of creamy oak, ripe currant, black cherry and herbal sage flavors that are intense and complex without being heavy. Finishes with a tight focus and rich tannins. Best from 2008 through 2012. 553 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 95+ (12/2008): A first-growth quality offering is consistently produced from the Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard (579 cases) offers aromas of tobacco leaf, creme de cassis, graphite, flowers, and licorice in its full-bodied, powerful personality. There are layers of concentration, a multidimensional mouthfeel, and beautiful purity as well as nobility in this stunner. It should drink well for 20-25 years.WS 94 (10/2007): This pushes ripeness to the edge, yet it's balanced, with spicy currant, cedary oak and hints of anise and cassis that are complex and deep without being heavy. The tannins are ripe and polished. Best from 2008 through 2015. 534 cases made.IWC 93 (6/2007): Deep red. Powerful dark berry aromas are complicated by cured tobacco, licorice, cedar and incense. Very sweet but poised, with expressive red and dark berry flavors supported by gentle acidity and framed by silky tannins. Gains weight with air, finishing lush and chewy, with outstanding length. As I went back to this it seemed to grow fresher.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 91 (12/2000): The classic 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Hyde Vineyard (1,020 cases) boasts an opaque black/purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet bouquet of cassis, licorice, and toasty new oak. Full-bodied, with gobs of black fruit, plenty of glycerin, and excellent symmetry, this seamless effort has well-integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol. It should drink well for 15+ years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 91 (12/2000): The classic 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Hyde Vineyard (1,020 cases) boasts an opaque black/purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet bouquet of cassis, licorice, and toasty new oak. Full-bodied, with gobs of black fruit, plenty of glycerin, and excellent symmetry, this seamless effort has well-integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol. It should drink well for 15+ years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 94 (6/2011): From the cool climate of Carneros, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Hyde Vineyard exhibits complex notes of smoke, camphor, barbecue spices, black currants and sweet cherries. Medium to full-bodied and elegant, it is the most feminine and Bordeaux-like of this impressive quartet. It needs another 2-3 years to reach full maturity where it should remain for 20-25 years.WS 93 (9/2004): Deliciously smooth, rich and polished, with a complex array of currant, blackberry, melted chocolate and mocha flavors, offering a wealth of concentrated flavors and a long, intense, yet graceful and harmonious finish that lingers, echoing coffee and smoky oak. Drink now through 2012. 481 cases made.IWC 92 (6/2004): Deep medium ruby. Perfumed aromas of currant, graphite, licorice, tobacco, smoke and truffle, with a subtle whiff of currant leaf. Sweet, lush, dense and chocolatey, with hints of game and truffle and solid underlying structure. Intensely flavored cabernet, rather atypically Bordeaux-like for a wine from this producer. Finishes with tongue-dusting tannins.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 92 (12/2007): The 2005 Syrah Kick Ranch Vineyard is a big, black/purple-colored, ball-buster sort of Syrah with plenty of pepper and cassis as well as hints of graphite and charcoal. The finish is full-bodied and peppery. IWC 91 (6/2008): Inky purple. Powerfully scented aromas of cherry, dark berries, fresh flowers, smoked meat and graphite: very syrah. Deep, round and sweet, offering luscious cherry and blackberry liqueur flavors and excellent mineral lift. This broad, smooth wine finishes with excellent cling; the sexy oak notes linger but don't distract from the fruit. WS 88 (12/2007): Firm, tight and concentrated, with a dense, chewy core of earthy mineral, blackberry, herb, sage and dusty berry flavors. Turns firm and tannic on the finish. Best from 2008 through 2014. 135 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 93 (12/2005): The final vintage for the single vineyard Merlot Michael Black Vineyard, the 2003 boasts a dense purple color in addition to a sweet perfume of espresso, white chocolate, black cherries, and figs. With tremendous opulence, density, and a long, lush finish, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next decade. IWC 89 (6/2006): Good deep ruby-red. Pungent aromas of plum liqueur, black raspberry and milk chocolate. Sweet, plump and full, with moderate complexity. Finishes with substantial broad, tongue-dusting tannins and a hint of stony soil. This is the last vintage for this bottling; beginning with 2005 Hobbs will offer a syrah from a vineyard in the eastern hills behind Santa Rosa.WS 89 (8/2006): Ripe and plush, with layers of rich currant, cranberry, roasted plum and rum cake spice. Supple texture and excellent concentration, finishing with a persistent, flavorful aftertaste. Drink now through 2011. 340 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 93 (12/2005): The final vintage for the single vineyard Merlot Michael Black Vineyard, the 2003 boasts a dense purple color in addition to a sweet perfume of espresso, white chocolate, black cherries, and figs. With tremendous opulence, density, and a long, lush finish, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next decade. IWC 89 (6/2006): Good deep ruby-red. Pungent aromas of plum liqueur, black raspberry and milk chocolate. Sweet, plump and full, with moderate complexity. Finishes with substantial broad, tongue-dusting tannins and a hint of stony soil. This is the last vintage for this bottling; beginning with 2005 Hobbs will offer a syrah from a vineyard in the eastern hills behind Santa Rosa.WS 89 (8/2006): Ripe and plush, with layers of rich currant, cranberry, roasted plum and rum cake spice. Supple texture and excellent concentration, finishing with a persistent, flavorful aftertaste. Drink now through 2011. 340 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWS 95 (6/2004): You won't find many Chardonnays in this class. Ultrarich and multidimensional, with a fabulous array of creamy flavors built around a core of fig, apricot, crème brûlée and roasted marshmallows. Full-bodied, yet elegant and concentrated, it weaves the tapestry of flavors to a long, rich, graceful finish. Drink now through 2009. 2,016 cases made. WA 89-91 (12/2003): More structure, acidity, and delineation are present in the 2002 Chardonnay Russian River. While it does not appear to possess as intense fruit as the 2001, it is still evolving. There is no doubting the impressive honeysuckle, peach-like notes. IWC 88 (6/2004): Pale yellow-gold. Aromas of yellow fruits, lime and spicy oak. Juicy and nicely concentrated; not at all fat or heavy. Flavors of grapefruit and clove, with some slightly tart acidity.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 94+ (12/2005): From an Oakville hillside vineyard, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard possesses a dense purple color, a scorched earth/broodingly backward, volcanic style, and extraordinary concentration as well as richness. A tightly-knit personality and a tannic structure suggest patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2022. WS 91 (10/2006): This wine grows and grows on you. Elegant and stylish, with a mix of vivid blackberry and black cherry fruit and a light touch of creamy oak and lavender. The intensity builds, revealing extra facets of depth and concentration, with firm tannins and hints of mineral and herb. Best from 2008 through 2014. 584 cases made.IWC 91 (6/2006): Good medium ruby. Tight aromas of black cherry liqueur, dark chocolate, iron and minerals. Suave and lush if not hugely concentrated, but this conveys an impression of refinement and offers very good life in the mouth. The tannins hit the palate later, offering the flavors a chance to expand.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 94 (12/2006): A cuvee needing some bottle age is the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard. This broodingly backward, deep ruby/purple-hued effort gives up scents of crushed rocks, smoky oak, blackberries, and cassis. Powerful and rich with exceptional concentration and structure, it requires 2-3 years of cellaring, and should drink well over the next two decades or more.WS 92 (10/2007): Very ripe yet well-proportioned, with rich, zesty black cherry and wild berry fruit that's fleshy and opulent, turning elegant and refined. Best from 2008 through 2014. 534 cases made.IWC 90 (6/2006): Dark red. Lush, candied blackberry and boysenberry aromas, with a suggestion of dark chocolate. Creamy in texture and packed with sweet berry and cassis flavors and an exotic fruitcake quality. Takes on a ripe, tarry note on the gently tannic finish, which shows very good grip and length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 94 (12/2006): A cuvee needing some bottle age is the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard. This broodingly backward, deep ruby/purple-hued effort gives up scents of crushed rocks, smoky oak, blackberries, and cassis. Powerful and rich with exceptional concentration and structure, it requires 2-3 years of cellaring, and should drink well over the next two decades or more.WS 92 (10/2007): Very ripe yet well-proportioned, with rich, zesty black cherry and wild berry fruit that's fleshy and opulent, turning elegant and refined. Best from 2008 through 2014. 534 cases made.IWC 90 (6/2006): Dark red. Lush, candied blackberry and boysenberry aromas, with a suggestion of dark chocolate. Creamy in texture and packed with sweet berry and cassis flavors and an exotic fruitcake quality. Takes on a ripe, tarry note on the gently tannic finish, which shows very good grip and length.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspIWC 94 (6/2009): Dark purple. Dark berry and mineral scents are complicated by iron, tobacco and dried rose. Livelier red fruits join the dark berries on the palate, which is velvety in texture and seems tannin-free (which it isn't). Luscious red and dark berry compote qualities dominate the long, supple finish. You could easily drink this seductive wine right now, but I wouldn't.WA 90+ (12/2008): The tannins are noticeable in the extracted, concentrated, broodingly backward, inky/purple-colored 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard. This austere, tannic wine has not yet resolved all its issues with tannin, but it is so concentrated that I think everything is there, it will just require patience. Give it 4-5 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following 25 years. WS 88 (12/2009): Backward, rustic and earthy, with a core of dried currant, blackberry, anise, graphite and mineral. Chewy throughout, ending with drying, cedar-laced tannins. Best from 2010 through 2017. 567 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspIWC 93+ (6/2010): A wine that remains somewhat closed and austere is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard. Performing better than it did last year, it needs 5-6 years of bottle age, and should keep for 25-30 years. Its dense purple color is followed by notes of wet stones, smoked herbs, black currants, and ink. Deep, rich, backward, and ageworthy, it should be forgotten for a few years, and drunk over the following three decades. WS 93 (11/2010): A wine that remains somewhat closed and austere is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard. Performing better than it did last year, it needs 5-6 years of bottle age, and should keep for 25-30 years. Its dense purple color is followed by notes of wet stones, smoked herbs, black currants, and ink. Deep, rich, backward, and ageworthy, it should be forgotten for a few years, and drunk over the following three decades. WA 92+ (12/2009): A wine that remains somewhat closed and austere is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard. Performing better than it did last year, it needs 5-6 years of bottle age, and should keep for 25-30 years. Its dense purple color is followed by notes of wet stones, smoked herbs, black currants, and ink. Deep, rich, backward, and ageworthy, it should be forgotten for a few years, and drunk over the following three decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 95 (12/2005): One of the finest viticultural managers in northern California is Ulises Valdez, and his 2004 Chardonnay Ulises Valdez Vineyard boasts a wonderful leesy/brioche character intermixed with honeysuckle, orange rind, tangerine, and hazelnut notes. With great fruit, full body, and superb intensity as well as concentration, it should drink well for 5-6 years. WS 91 (11/2006): Rich and creamy, both in flavor and texture, with vanilla, fig and melon flavors that are smooth and polished, finishing with a dash of herb and sage. Drink now through 2009. 105 cases made. IWC 88 (6/2006): (80% new oak) Sweet aromas of marzipan, nuts and vanillin oak. Broad and dry, in a rather warm style. Less crisp and intense than the Richard Dinner bottling.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PaulHobbs.aspWA 91 (6/2002): The debut 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts superb creme de cassis aromas, pure, rich, full-bodied flavors, melted tannin, and a savory, expansive finish with subtle new oak. It is already drinkable and will age nicely for a dozen or more years. This is an impressive effort from Hourglass, a new vineyard situated next to Vineyard 29 on Route 29, Napa's route du vin.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Hourglass.aspWA 98-100 (12/2009): The three vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon Deep Time include the just bottled 2005, which spent four years in an assortment of barrels. It was the best tasting I have had of that wine. These wines have a more chocolate, espresso roast character as well as tons of fruit, and a natural, concentrated character. They are very thick and rich, yet the oak seems less noticeable than it does in wines scheduled for earlier bottling. Altogether, this is a remarkable winery with a highly personalized vision that is producing extraordinary wines, and we’re all the better for it.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HundredAcreWinery.aspIWC 92 (6/2009): (a port made from Kayli Morgan vineyard cabernet sauvignon) Full red-ruby. Expressive, slightly high-toned aromas of blackberry, plum, saddle leather, nuts, minerals and graphite, plus a mellow balsamic quality. Supersweet and lush, with just enough volatile acidity to give lift to the thick flavors of cassis and nuts. A very complex port that seems more tawny than ruby in style. The high-toned finish features lush tannins and impressive complexity. Jayson Woodbridge describes this as the first true single-vineyard cabernet sauvignon port ever made: the equivalent of 2,000 cases of cabernet were double-distilled down to less than 200 in an alambic pot still, then went into used Hundred Acre barrels for extended aging.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HundredAcreWinery.aspWA 99 (12/2010): The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard (1,000 cases from the home estate) reveals a dense plum/purple color along with a beautiful nose of mulberries, boysenberries, blueberries, black cherries and cedar. Fragrant, seductive and silky, it possesses the luxurious qualities of a top Pomerol made from 100% Merlot rather than a wine made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I have asked about this a number of times and apparently it is this vineyard’s clay soils that give this wine a strikingly silky character. Already approachable (as are most 2007s), it should drink well for two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HundredAcreWinery.aspWA 98 (12/2008): The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Ark Vineyard (the debut vintage of this cuvee) reveals an inky/blue/purple color as well as a sumptuous nose of loamy soil, licorice, graphite, espresso, sweet blackberries, and forest floor. It is a gorgeously proportioned, full-bodied effort with plenty of minerality as well as definition. Already accessible, this big wine should evolve for two decades.WS 93 (12/2008): Graceful, ripe and fleshy, with supple plum, blackberry, black cherry and wild berry fruit that reminds me of a berry pie. Unfolds to reveal subtle spicy, cedary oak flavors, and the finish is long and luxurious, with layers of berry flavors. Best from 2010 through 2017. 700 cases made.IWC 93 (6/2008): Bright, full ruby. Enticing aromas of black raspberry, licorice and melted chocolate. Sweet, lush and superripe; in fact, this is downright massive, with an almost porty, lower-toned quality perked up by complex mineral and red licorice elements. Wonderfully fat, sweet wine with extravagant chocolate, mocha and nutty oak tones. Finishes with rich, broad tannins and a wave of chocolatey dark fruits. This is the first release from Jayson Woodbridge's home vineyard, which features nine separate blocks of vines and six clones, and which was picked in multiple passes and fermented in 500-liter puncheons.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HundredAcreWinery.aspWS 86 (12/2004): Complex aromas of ripe plum, rose petal and black cherry lead to an intense and concentrated wine with excellent structure, good depth and a tight focus. It finishes with a firm band of flavors and dry, earthy tannins. Best from 2006 through 2012. 700 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Husic.aspIWC 90 (6/2003): Deep red-ruby. Dusty cherry, currant, rose petal, dark chocolate, coffee and minerals on the nose. Bright, sappy and claret-like, with juicy flavors of maraschino cherry, berries and coffee. Lively, elegant and very light on its feet, with an enticing subtle sweetness. What a relief: a full-flavored, food-friendly Bordeaux blend from California with a moderate 13.5% alcohol. Firm acids and tannins give this very bright wine excellent structure.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HydedeVillaine(HDV).aspWS 92 (2/2004): Wonderful purity of flavor, focus and excellent structure are the hallmarks of this terrific wine, accented by pretty floral, wild berry, toasty oak and game meat flavors that are sharply focused, supported by tight acidity and tannins. Drink now through 2009. 136 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/HydedeVillaine(HDV).aspWS 89 (9/1984): (no tasting note)http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Inglenook.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Inglenook.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Inglenook.aspWS 88 (9/1987): Cedar and menthol characters tend to outshine the fruit at this stage, with lots of tannin and some pretty fair Cabernet fruit and even an underlying silky texture. Big and powerful, very woody and definitely for the cellar.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Inglenook.aspWA 94 (8/2004): The 2002 Petite Syrah Frediani Vineyard comes from a 60-80-year old block of Petite Syrah planted just outside the warmer end of Napa near Calistoga. The color is an inky/blue/purple, and the nose offers up sumptuous aromas of violets, black fruits, crushed rocks, chocolate, and espresso. Enormously endowed yet remarkably civilized for a wine of such mass, it reveals impeccable winemaking along with tremendous purity as well as depth. This is not for readers looking for lighter-styled reds as it is full-throttle Petite Syrah fury captured in a bottle. It should age well for 15+ years. WS 92 (11/2004): Petite can't get any darker-this is a surprisingly sleek and supple youngster, given its level of tannins and fruit concentration. The wild berry, blackberry and loganberry flavors are ripe, rich and vibrant, ending with the tannic muscle you might expect. Drink now through 2012. 256 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/JCCellars.aspIWC 88 (12/2007): Ruby-red. Smoky plum and cherry on the nose, with complicating botanical herb and underbrush qualities. A bit tightly wound, with tangy red berry flavors, firm tannins and a dusty finish. The 2005 is a major step up in terms of sheer fruit and freshness.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/JonataWinery.aspWS 87 (11/1998): Smooth, supple and polished, with spicy black cherry, tea, herb, tar and cedary notes, this has held up well and shows no signs of deteriorating. Still, it's a li