2006 Harlan “The Maiden” Oakville (Napa Valley) (second wine of Harlan Estate) – Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
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. Rated 93 Wine Spectator
“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.” Rated 91 The Wine Advocate
2007 Caymus Special Selection (Napa Valley) – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Thankfully, the Napa Valley has so many sites where we can grow outstanding grapes. We realized long ago the advantage of farming in many areas, from the Valley floor to hillside elevations up to 1600 feet; so we bring all that diversity into the bottle, making our Cabernet a true representative of this world renowned appellation. Rated 96 Wine Spectator, Special Designation: Highly Recommended
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.
2007 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley)(a second wine from Araujo) – 90% Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 6% Merlot Eisele Vineyard 4% Petit Verdot Eisele Vineyard
Good ruby-red. Redcurrant, minerals and spices on the lively nose. Juicy and nicely delineated, with good lift and mineral grip to the currant, graphite and tobacco flavors. Very firmly built and persistent wine with a light gamey quality adding interest. Rated 91 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“The 2007 Altagracia (primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot) is a 400-500-case second wine culled out from the 30+ acre vineyard. The 2007 exhibits a dark ruby/purple color along with a classic wet stone/crushed rock minerality that is a characteristic of this vineyard, black currant and incense notes, medium body, sweet tannin and an overall sense of elegance and restraint. A very pretty red, it should be drunk over the next decade.”Rated 90 The Wine Advocate
2007 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
A profound effort, offering wonderful purity of flavor, with tiers of anise and black licorice, generous yet structured and elegant. This shows both power and finesse, ending with a wonderful burst of dark berry fruit. Best from 2012 through 2024. Altamura comes from one of the least-known corners of Napa, a small, remote area called Wooden Valley. Northeast of the city of Napa, this area is distinguished by a dramatic fog bank and cooler climate, and subsequently a longer growing season; temperatures here can be as many as 10 degrees lower than the Napa Valley average. Frank and Karen Altamura started planting grapes on their 400-acre family ranch in 1985. Rated 96 Wine Spectator, Special Designation: Highly Recommended Top 100: Rank 5
2007 Baldacci Family “Black Label” Stag’s Leap District (Napa Valley) – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Our 2007 Black Label Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth, rich and generous – a Stags Leap District wine that truly represents the “Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove;” it is what we think of when we say “Napa Valley Cabernet.” The aging in 100% French, 55% new, for 18 months only enhances this balanced wine. Aromas of cassis, blackberries and clean earth complement the layered flavors of black cherries, wild berries, caramel custard and refined, mouth-water tannins. Irresistible in its youth, this wine will age gracefully for 8-10 years.
“The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label is a classic example of an elegant, restrained, graciousStags Leap wine. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by aromas of blue and red fruits, medium body and sweet tannin in a Bordeaux style. It should drink well for a decade or more.” Rated 92 The Wine Advocate
“Tough in tannins, with an astringent, lockdown quality. That’s the iron fist of this wine. The velvet glove is the rich, flamboyant core of blackberries and cassis. Give this young wine at least six years to come around. Cellar Selection.” Rated 93 Wine Enthusiast
2006 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley) 91% To Kalon Vineyard, Oakville AVA, with the balance from other Oakville Bench vineyards
Pure, rich and concentrated, this bold, graceful wine offers a deep core of earthy currant, blackberry and plum, with hints of herb, mocha and black licorice, giving it uncommon complexity and depth. Ends with firm tannins and a long, persistent finish. Rated 96 Wine Spectator