California Oregon Washington Cabernet: Price 200+ - Vinrare - Buy Fine Wine Online - Fine Wines International

1987 Diamond Creek - Lake California (750ml)

$385.00

Wine Spectator 93

"Clearly the best of the 1987s. Wonderful aromas and flavors, with ripe plum, black cherry and spice nuances, and a strong anise aftertaste. Fine balance; crisp but ripe tannins."

FineWine International

Very rare, collectable.

1990 Caymus Special Selection California (750ml)

$250.00

Robert Parker 94

"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."

Wine Spectator 93

"Aging extremely well, this is rich, sleek and elegant, with a wide range of black cherry, anise, currant, plum and earth notes that offer depth and complexity, finishing in a long aftertaste." Tasting note from the February 28, 2001 issue of the WS.

1990 Diamond Creek - Lake California (750ml)

$430.00

Wine Spectator 91

"Bright and lively, packed with broad currant, herb, mineral, tobacco and prune flavors that gain complexity and depth from oak shadings."

1992 Hartwell, Stag's Leap District California (1.5L)

$320.00

1993 Hartwell, Sunshine Vineyard California (1.5L)

$540.00

Robert Parker 89

"The 1993 exhibits an elegant, more laid back style than several previous vintages. The deep ruby/purple color is followed by copious amounts of toasty, smoky new oak, and attractive currant aromas. The wine possesses sweet, ripe fruit, medium body, moderate tannin, and a long, nicely-textured, spicy finish. It may develop into an outstanding wine with another 2-4 years of cellaring. It should age well for 15+ years."

1995 Dominus California (750ml-6pk OWC)

$620.00

Robert Parker 93

"An exceptional example of Cabernet. The color is deep, thick-looking purple. The wine possesses a sweet, cassis-scented aroma.It is a large-scaled, more noticeably structured style of Dominus that will age well for two decades."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93

"Full deep red. Sexy, perfumed aromas of black and red raspberry, currant, plum, graphite and spicy oak. Fruit driven flavors of currant, cherry and leather. Expands nicely on the aftertaste."

1995 Lokoya Mt Veeder California (750ml)

$98.00

Wine Spectator 92

"A big, ripe and firmly tannic style, dense, chunky and chewy, but wade past the tannins and you'll get a glimpse of a complex, concentrated wine."

Robert Parker 91

The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder (1,600 cases) reveals an opaque purple color, and a sumptuous, Medoc-like nose of lead pencil, minerals, black currants, and smoky oak. It is extremely full-bodied and massive in the mouth, with sweet tannin, a layered, plushly-textured mid-palate, and a firm, exceptionally long, pure finish. This classic mountain-styled Cabernet Sauvignon can be drunk now, but it will be even better with 5-7 years of cellaring. It will keep for 2 decades. Another luxury operation in the Kendall-Jackson portfolio, this winery appears to be doing everything right. The wines are 100% Cabernet Sauvignons made in limited quantities of 250-350 cases. The wines are aged in 100% French oak casks (45%-75% new), malolactic fermentation is done in barrel, and the wines are bottled with no filtration. All of these wines revealed outstanding aromatics, natural, chewy, expansive textures, and exceptionally ripe, concentrated fruit. Moreover, they are candidates for 20 or more years of cellaring. In short, I am very enthusiastic about this project.

1996 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$285.00

Robert Parker 94

"The saturated purple-colored 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard offers an attractive nose of black fruits intermixed with toast, minerals, sublte tar, and wood smoke. Full-bodied, with impressive purity, a multi-layered mid-palate and finish, it is an expressive, pure, more powerful, and larger-boned wine than either the 1997 or 1998."

1996 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$285.00

Robert Parker 94

"The saturated purple-colored 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard offers an attractive nose of black fruits intermixed with toast, minerals, sublte tar, and wood smoke. Full-bodied, with impressive purity, a multi-layered mid-palate and finish, it is an expressive, pure, more powerful, and larger-boned wine than either the 1997 or 1998."

1996 Diamond Creek - Lake California (750ml)

$410.00

Wine Spectator 92

"This prestigious California red is ripe, smooth and elegant, with pretty black cherry, tart plum, herb and cedary oak notes that turn supple and polished. Displaying wonderful integration of fruit and tannins, it's tasty now--but it isn't for everyday drinking at this price."

1996 Shafer Hillside Select California (750ml)

$385.00

Robert Parker 98

"The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is one of the vintage's super-stars. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by super aromatics, immense body, great fruit extraction, superb purity and overall symmetry, as well as a 40+ second finish. Revealing exceptional intensity (but no heaviness) as well as perfectly integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this fabulous Cabernet will drink wonderfully for three decades."

1998 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$190.00

Robert Parker 91

"Medium-deep red. Complex, inviting aromas of plum leather, spice, game and Burgundian earth tones. Lush and sweet in the mouth, with plum, meat and leather flavors. Harmonious acids give shape to the wine without drying it. Finishes with sweet, rich tannins and very good length. This has filled in very nicely since I tasted it from barrel a year ago. A real standout of the vintage."

Wine Spectator 90

A supple, harmonious, well-crafted effort, with rich yet subtle earthy currant, tobacco, toasty-cedary oak and spicy anise notes. Very complete and focused, with fine-grained tannins on the finish.

1998 Pride Mountain Reserve Claret California (1.5L)

$430.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92+

"Saturated purple-ruby. Restrained but complex aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet, licorice, bitter chocolate and minerals. Juicy and very firmly built; conveys a stronger impression of acidity. Black fruits complicated by mocha and dark chocolate notes. Less broad than the reserve claret but subtler and longer. Finishes with nobler tannins and slowly mounting, extremely persistent flavor."

Robert Parker 93+

"The opaque purple-colored 1998 Reserve Claret (a blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot) reveals red and black fruit scents intermixed with vanilla, underbrush, and mocha/coffee. Long and opulently-textured, with lower acidity, fabulous fruit, a succulent, expansive mid palate, and a blockbuster, long finish, it is compelling stuff! Drink it over the next 12-15 years."

1998 Pride Mountain Reserve Claret California (750ml)

$163.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92+

"Saturated purple-ruby. Restrained but complex aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet, licorice, bitter chocolate and minerals. Juicy and very firmly built; conveys a stronger impression of acidity. Black fruits complicated by mocha and dark chocolate notes. Less broad than the reserve claret but subtler and longer. Finishes with nobler tannins and slowly mounting, extremely persistent flavor."

Robert Parker 93+

"The opaque purple-colored 1998 Reserve Claret (a blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot) reveals red and black fruit scents intermixed with vanilla, underbrush, and mocha/coffee. Long and opulently-textured, with lower acidity, fabulous fruit, a succulent, expansive mid palate, and a blockbuster, long finish, it is compelling stuff! Drink it over the next 12-15 years."

1998 The Terraces California (750ml-12pk)

$610.00

FineWine International

A house favorite at Fine Wines International. Elegant and refined with the aromas and flavors of cherries, herbs and vanilla oak.

2000 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$215.00

Wine Spectator 92

"A very complete and complex offering, exhibiting rich plum and red currant flavors, touches of anise, sage, herb and mineral, finishing with a plush, focused aftertaste."

Robert Parker 91

2001 Bryant Family California (750ml)

$295.00

Robert Parker 91

"The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits the classic Bryant bouquet of melted creosote intermixed with blackberry liqueur and other black fruits. It is medium to full-bodied, opulent and sumptuous, but the finish is shorter, with drier tannin than it would have had if it had been bottled unfiltered. Give it 3-5 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 10-15 years."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93-96

Good full deep medium ruby. Aromas of kirsch, cassis, bitter chocolate and licorice; extremely primary yet hints at almost exotic ripeness. Wonderfully sweet, intensely flavored and bright; dense, sharply delineated and seamless. This hasn't really expanded yet in barrel and thus is not yet showing its flesh. But this young cabernet's solid structure and outstanding persistence suggest that it may ultimately surpass my current projected range. 93-96 points

2002 Grace Family, Blank Vineyard California (750ml)

$195.00

Wine- Maker Notes

It's not surprising that the wine made from Grace clone grapes grown at Chotsie and Alan Blank?s 1.8 acre vineyard in Rutherford shows similarities of style to the wine made from our own vineyard in St. Helena. Smooth, firm tannins give an elegant supple texture that frames a graceful and harmonious whole. But Blank Vineyard's own unique terroir affords it a very unique personality as well. The wine serves up a beguiling array of wintergreen, herb and spice notes that point toward coffee and camphor in addition to ripe red fruit. Not really a sibling, but rather a cousin of the original Grace Family Cabernet.

2002 Hundred Acre, Kayli Morgan Vyd. California (750ml)

List Price: ~~$340.00~~ Our Price: $300.00

$300.00

Robert Parker 98

"As for the 2002 Hundred Acre (1,200 cases), this is a terrific example of great Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. A seamless wine with extraordinary concentration, a dense purple color, a beautifully sweet nose of black cherry liqueur intermixed with cassis, graphite, smoke, and underbrush, it is layered, multi-dimensional, and opulent, with a long finish. Although more accessible and flashy than the 2001, it is capable of lasting 15 more years."

2002 Hundred Acre, Kayli Morgan Vyd. California (750ml)

List Price: ~~$340.00~~ Our Price: $300.00

$300.00

Robert Parker 98

"As for the 2002 Hundred Acre (1,200 cases), this is a terrific example of great Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. A seamless wine with extraordinary concentration, a dense purple color, a beautifully sweet nose of black cherry liqueur intermixed with cassis, graphite, smoke, and underbrush, it is layered, multi-dimensional, and opulent, with a long finish. Although more accessible and flashy than the 2001, it is capable of lasting 15 more years."

2002 Verite, Le Desir California (750ml)

$168.00

Robert Parker 97

"Complimentary adjectives are almost inappropriate for the extraordinary complexity, fabulous richness, and sheer nobleness and beauty of the 2002 Le Desir (52.7% Merlot, 41.2% Cabernet Franc, and tiny percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec). Dense aromas of creosote, burning wood embers, blackberries, blueberries, and violets are offered in the full-bodied, fabulously complex perfume. Full-bodied, with tremendous complexity, a voluptuous texture, and flavors of plum liqueur, figs, chocolate, espresso, and minerals, this is a tour de force in winemaking. Anticipated maturity: now-2020."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93

(50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) "Dark ruby-red. Black cherry, mocha and licorice on the nose. Ripe, broad and dry; suave and sophisticated. Flavors of red berries lifted by floral and mineral components. Densely packed, backward wine, finishing with substantial dusty tannins."

2003 Abreu Madrona Ranch California (750ml)

$380.00

Robert Parker 95

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch is just an amazing wine in the vintage. Notes of smoked meats intermixed with licorice, camphor, graphite, blackberry, and flowers, with a hint of cedar and spice box, have produced a wine that is more up-front and forward than most Abreu wines have been, and gorgeously rich and full-bodied. Last year I thought the wine needed 2-3 years of cellaring, but based on this tasting, I could drink it now or cellar it for 20+ years.

2003 Colgin, Cariad California (750ml)

$305.00

Robert Parker 95

"Colgin's Bordeaux-styled proprietary blend, the 2003 Cariad (a 520-case blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc - a change from barrel), is a wine of extraordinary elegance and sweetness. With an inky/blue/purple color, high tannin, superb intensity, and hints of blueberries, spice box, new saddle leather, and licorice, this rich, impeccably well-balanced, full-bodied 2003 will be drinkable early in life, but promises to last for several decades."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"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."

2003 Colgin, Lamb Vineyard California (750ml)

$260.00

Robert Parker 94

The inky/purple-colored 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard (230 cases) offers up sweet aromas of roasted herbs, scorched earth, chocolate, and smoky cassis. Its rich, full-bodied mouthfeel, moderately high tannin, and sweet, heady finish suggest it will be at its finest between 2006-2020.

2003 Hundred Acre, Kayli Morgan Vyd. California (750ml)

$290.00

Robert Parker 95

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard appears to be the finest of the three most recent vintages I tasted. Reflecting Woodbridge�s impeccable attention to detail, it boasts a dense plum/purple color, a sweet, smoky perfume of melted caramels, blackberries, cassis, cedar, spice box, and hints of graphite, toffee, and oak, an expansive, rich, full-bodied personality, and beautifully integrated tannin. Even though it is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it tastes like it could have come from the tenderloin section of Pomerol. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

2003 Merus California (750ml)

$147.00

Robert Parker 95

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec and Petit Verdot) boasts an inky/purple color along with a rich bouquet of creosote, blueberries, blackberries, sweet earth, and smoky, spicy oak. With full body, abundant fruit, glycerin, and sweet tannin, a multilayered mouthfeel, and stunning upside potential, it is accessible enough to be drunk in 2-3 years, or cellared for two decades.

2003 Paul Hobbs To-Kalon California (750ml)

$365.00

Robert Parker 97

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.

2003 Peter Michael Les Pavots California (750ml)

$225.00

Robert Parker 94

The 2003 Les Pavots (61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot) exhibits notes of melted licorice, tapenade, damp earth, black currants, and cedar. Slightly more herbaceous than the 2004, with notions of barbecued meat as well as blue and black fruits, this full-bodied, dense 2003 may not have quite the potential of the 2002 or 2001, but it is a brilliant effort to consume between 2008-2020.

Wine Enthusiast 93

Tannic and closed to the point of inaccessibility, this Cab-based blend, which contains Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, comes from low-yielding vines grown 1,700 feet above Knights Valley. It all comes down to a question of ageability. The answer is it will age quite nicely. The balance is superb, and the core of fruit is there. Do not open this wine until 2010; it should continue to develop for another 10 years at least.

2004 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$350.00

Wine Spectator 95

Massive yet smooth and polished, with a subdued offering of ripe plum, floral and black cherry fruit that slowly builds intensity and depth. Gains momentum on the finish, where the tannins are ripe and the flavors are tapered.

Robert Parker 94

The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard shows surprisingly more tannin than the 2005. Perhaps it is at the stage where it has been in the bottle for about a year and is beginning to shut down ever so slightly. A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the wine has a dense ruby/purple color and some sweet and spicy notes intermixed with white chocolate, black currant, crushed rock, and some underbrush and floral scents. It is medium to full-bodied, firmly structured, and reminiscent of a top first- or second-growth Bordeaux because of the tannin structure and austerity. It is an interesting, almost atypical wine for this vintage in Napa, but the Eisele Vineyard is a world unto its own, so I am not actually surprised.

2004 Blankiet Estate California (750ml)

$147.00

Robert Parker 96

"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."

2004 Bond, Matriarch California (750ml)

$186.00

Robert Parker 93

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.

2004 Bond, Pluribus California (750ml)

$295.00

Robert Parker 95

The newest wine, E Pluribus, will give just about any vineyard on Spring Mountain a run for its money. The 2004 E Pluribus has a dense purple color and an elegant, sweet nose of creme de cassis intermixed with some camphor, graphite, and a hint of blueberry (or is it very ripe raspberries?). Quite opulent, full-bodied, but with good underlying acidity, this wine is fresh and remarkably light on its feet for a wine of such enormous intensity and richness.

2004 Colgin, Lamb Vineyard California (750ml)

$335.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

Ruby-red. Highly aromatic nose offers black raspberry, black cherry, minerals and gravel. Dense, lush and sweet, with spicy black raspberry, dark chocolate, violet and licorice flavors complemented by oak. This is wonderfully rich but retains plenty of energy. Finishes very long, with firm but ripe tannins. Impressive.

Robert Parker 95

There are 188 cases of the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard. This inky/purple cuvee exhibits a scorched earth, flowery, blueberry, and blackberry-scented bouquet with hints of barbecue spices, pain grille, licorice, and espresso roast. Full-bodied, opulent, and dense, with considerable tannin lurking underneath all the extract and structure, it needs 2-3 years of cellaring and should age nicely for 20-25 years.

2004 Colgin, Tychson Vineyard California (750ml)

$435.00

Robert Parker 98

Black truffles, asphalt, graphite, blueberries, and creme de cassis aromas soar from the glass of the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard (168 cases). A wine of extraordinary nobility, it possesses a steely, well-delineated mouthfeel, full body, and enormous wealth of richness and length. This profound Cabernet Sauvignon is a candidate for wine of the vin

2004 Levy & McClellan California (750ml)

$390.00

Robert Parker 95-97

"The debut vintage, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, will be bottled, without fining or filtration, in January, 2007. An amazing effort, it boasts a deep purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of scorched earth (reminiscent of a Graves wine from Bordeaux), espresso roast, creme de cassis, licorice, new saddle leather, flowers, and chocolate. This powerful, rich wine cuts a broad swath across the palate, but is neither heavy nor excessive. A beautiful integration of acidity, wood, alcohol, and tannin result in an impressively endowed, fabulously concentrated, compelling Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink reasonably well young, yet age for 15-20 years."

Wine Spectator 95

A rich, savory, extracted style, with strong mocha-espresso bean and spicy currant flavors that are intense, focused, long and persistent, ending with firm, ripe tannins. Combines power with finesse. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

2004 Merus California (750ml)

$163.00

Robert Parker 94

"..Merus has produced a blockbuster 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. These cuvees are made from super-ripe fruit, spend 18-20 months in 100% new French oak (usually Taransaud), and are bottled without fining or filtration. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot and Malbec, the full-bodied, dense 2004 offers notes of blackberries, blueberries, espresso roast, and smoky oak, a super-rich mouthfeel, good freshness and purity, and enough acidity and tannin to provide structure as well as definition. It will be delicious young, but should become more civilized in 4-5 years, and keep for two decades."

Wine Spectator 96

Rich and concentrated, with a generous mix of currant, blackberry, wild berry and mocha-laced oak. While intense and concentrated, it avoids being heavy, turning sleek and elegant. Deftly balanced and tightly focused, with a complex and lingering finish marked by hints of herb and black olive.

2004 Peter Michael Les Pavots California (750ml)

$275.00

Robert Parker 93

The 2004 Les Pavots is ripe and is a relatively similar blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine exhibits notes of forest floor intermixed with chocolate, blueberry, blackberry, espresso, and spice. It is strikingly more tannic, and closed compared to the 2005, which is almost the reverse of the vintage character. There were only 2,000 cases produced of the 2004, which needs 2-3 years of bottle age and should drink well for 15+ years.

Wine Spectator 94

Shows complex aromas of dried currant, sage, anise and cedary oak. Very dense, balanced and concentrated on the palate, with a tight focus on the loamy currant flavors. Ends with firm, chewy tannins, but the fruit pushes through. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93

Deep ruby. Sexy blackcurrant and boysenberry aromas with complicating tobacco and espresso tones. Lush and sweet, with dark fruit flavors, full body and dense, chewy tannins providing support. Turns silky with air, picking up more energetic red fruit tones and a light suggestion of iron. Finishes suave, focused and long, the blackcurrant note repeating. Luc Morlet compares this to the 2001 version.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 93

A deep garnet hue. This has a superb nose, incredibly pure with black cherries, violets, blueberries and cassis ? very youthful but naturally, very tight. The palate is full-bodied, dense, muscular tannins, very concentrated with a liquorice-infused middle with a tannic, grippy, nigh brutish finish that develops a touch of dark chocolate with time in the glass. It needs at least ten years in bottle. Drink 2017-2030. Tasted August 2007.

2004 Robert Foley, Claret California (750ml)

$170.00

Robert Parker 95

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.

2004 Shafer Hillside Select California (750ml)

$320.00

Wine Spectator 94

Pure, rich, intense and vibrant, with tight, sharply focused, vivid black cherry, blackberry and black currant fruit that has a nice dusty, loamy edge and ends with a pleasant burst of ripe fruit flavors that are long and persistent.

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine 93

No wine has outranked Shafer Hillside Select over the last twenty-five years. There are those who say that the wine is too big, too direct, too heavy, cannot possibly age and typifies all that is wrong with California Cabernet Sauvignon today. We really have only one answer to that-please read our retrospective tasting of this wine covering 1978 to the present. The proof is in the glass, and we expect this current vintage to perform as well for the next two decades as it mates have done. It is deep, bold, almost heavy and heady wine, but it is layered, full of fruit and has the underlying structure to improve.

Robert Parker 97

The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select performed even better this year than it did in 2007. It possesses an inky/ruby/purple color, a juicy perfume of black currants, black cherries, graphite, charcoal, and toasty oak, superb opulence, a fleshy mid-palate, a multilayered mouthfeel, and a dazzling finish. This flamboyant, sexy Hillside Select can be enjoyed now and over the next 20 years.

Wine Enthusiast 100

"A perfect score has to be considered in the context of its region. Shafer?s 2004 Hillside Select is tremendous as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that competes with its peers at the highest levels. It?s always a fabulous wine, but in warm 2004, Shafer?s amphitheater vineyard sheltered the grapes, ripening them to perfection yet protecting the ?iron fist in a velvet glove? structure that Andr� Tchelistcheff defined as Stags Leap. This 100% Cabernet is tremendous in cassis, black currant and mocha flavors, and the 100% new French oak provides perfect additions of smoke and caramel. It?s soft and gorgeous enough to drink now, and should age well in a cool cellar for the next 20 years."

2005 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$262.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95

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.

Robert Parker 98+

From their 40+ acres of vineyard in the very northeasterly sector of Napa, just south of the quaint town of Calistoga, anywhere from 1,600 to 2,200 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard are produced. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele (a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot) shows wonderfully sweet black currant notes intermixed with some licorice, incense, crushed rock, and floral characteristics. It is deep, medium to full-bodied, with beautiful purity, virtually perfect integration of tannins, and extraordinary length which lasts over 60 seconds. This is an exceptional, seamless Cabernet Sauvignon that is the vinous equivalent of haute couture. This sensationally pure wine (actually the first vintage of the estate Cabernet to have a little Merlot in it, but only 2%) borders on perfection. This is a gorgeously proportioned wine with beautiful floral and black fruit notes intermixed with some mineral and gentle background oak.

2005 Bryant Family California (750ml)

$490.00

Robert Parker 90-92

The 2005 continues to exhibit a European-styled finesse, elegance, and a certain austerity. The wine also shows considerable new oak, lots of acidity, which is almost atypical for this vineyard site, and a deep ruby/purple color with notes of cedar, bay leaf, cigar box, and copious quantities of black currant liqueur. It is a streamlined, classic, but slightly austere style for Bryant. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

Wine Spectator 94

Elegant and stylish, with ripe, vivid black cherry, currant, wild berry and black olive flavors that gain depth and vibrancy, picking up body and complexity and ending with a long, lingering finish that keeps repeating the fruit and cedary oak themes.

2005 Colgin, Tychson Vineyard California (750ml)

$360.00

Robert Parker 96+

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill, from that gently sloping vineyard just north of St. Helena, has a dense purple color like the other wines, and a beautiful nose of crushed rocks and pure, floral-infused black currant fruit interwoven with espresso and pain grille. The wine is dense, medium to full-bodied, with beautiful tannin, silky, expansive texture, and a long finish. Unfortunately, there are less than 300 cases of this wine, which requires 2-3 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 20-25 years.

Wine Spectator 97

An open-throtle Napa cabernet. Supple, creamy and layered, with pure currant, black cherry, and plum flavors.

2005 Dalla Valle California (750ml)

$245.00

Robert Parker 94

A sumptuous nose of blueberries, creme de cassis, blackberries, graphite, and spring flowers soars from the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Dalla Valle Vineyards. More restrained than the 2004, it exhibits a refreshing, vibrant, pure, beautifully constructed style with a seamless integration of acidity, wood, tannin, and alcohol. Long and pure with ripe tannin, it should drink well for 15-20 years. It is a classic example of elegance plus substance.

2005 Harlan The Maiden California (750ml)

$275.00

Robert Parker 93

Harlan�s second wine, The Maiden, is marvelous in 2005. Ripe, opulent fruit and notes of unsmoked high class cigar tobacco intermixed with creme de cassis, coffee, and asphalt are present in this round, superbly textured, rich, full-bodied, silky, beautifully wrought wine. It will drink well for 15+ years.

2005 Peter Michael Les Pavots California (750ml)

$285.00

Robert Parker 95

"The 2005 Les Pavots (3,600 cases of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot) is a sensational wine, with a style that suggests a hypothetical blend of a great St.-Emilion and Pomerol. Chocolatey cassis notes intermixed with incense, licorice, and a hint of black olive are present in this wine. When it hits the palate, it comes across as very Pomerol-like, with lushness, full body, and opulence. The tannins are sweet, the pH high, and the wine gorgeously full, pure, dense, and long. It�s a terrific example of non-interventionalist winemaking that has turned out a beautiful, silky-textured wine that should age effortlessly for 15+ years. Like so many 2005s, this wine has really put on weight since I tasted it last year."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93+

"63% cabernet sauvignon, 23% cabernet franc, 12% merlot and 2% petit verdot) Good deep ruby-red. Deep aromas of currant, raspberry, plum, tobacco, mocha and graphite. Sweet, lush and fat (the pH here is 4.02), with the rich, spicy red fruit flavors complicated by leather, mocha, licorice and cedar. The substantial tannins are smooth and harmonious and arrive late, allowing the subtle finishing flavors of cigar box, mocha and wild dry spices to expand in the mouth. This is 15.1% alcohol but boasts lovely physiological ripeness without any excess weight. "

Wine Spectator 97

Shows gorgeous Cabernet purity, with a profound offering of ripe, fleshy currant, black cherry, blackberry, anise and mineral. Amazingly supple and harmonious, with tannins that are both gentle and tender and then just firm enough to let you know they're there. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

2005 Pride Mountain Reserve Claret California (750ml)

$215.00

Robert Parker 95

A 500-case blend of 56% Napa fruit and 44% Sonoma fruit, the 2005 Reserve Claret (66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a brilliant wine for the vintage. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of smoked herbs, black currants, blackberries, espresso roast, chocolate, and oak. The wine is gorgeously textured and opulent, with a sumptuous, long finish. It is drinking splendidly well, and should continue to do so for a decade or more.

2005 Robert Foley, Claret California (750ml)

$163.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93

"90/10 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot) Saturated bright ruby color. Liqueur-like aromas of black cherry, raspberry and mocha; high-toned in a positive way. A sweet, powerful fruit bomb on the palate, with perfectly integrated acidity giving shape and grip to the dark berry and cherry flavors. Firm underlying minerality contributes to the wine's very fresh impression. Finishes with terrific aromatic persistence."

Robert Parker 94

"The prodigious 2005 Claret possesses a dense purple color in addition to beautiful aromas of creme de cassis, smoke, graphite, and cedar. Full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuously-textured with superb depth and purity in addition to a savory mouthfeel, and a surprisingly fleshy, forward personality, it should last for 10-15 years, but who will be able to resist it for that long?"

2005 Tor Kenward To-Kalon Vineyard California (750ml)

$215.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"Good deep ruby-red. Superripe, sweet aromas of currant, graphite and mocha. Big, rich, plush and full, combining superb depth of fruit and terrific energy. Finishes with broad, suave tannins and outstanding aromatic persistence and sweetness. From a very low-yielding clone, notes Kenward."

Robert Parker 96

"A magnificent effort, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard (approximately 300 cases) is reminiscent of a Bordeaux Pauillac. Cedar wood, creme de cassis, licorice, and spice box aromas soar from the glass of this opaque ruby/purple-colored cuvee. With fabulous fruit, intensity, full-bodied power, authoritative richness, and multiple flavor dimensions, this is a blockbuster Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well for 20+ years."

2006 Bryant Family California (750ml)

$490.00

Robert Parker 94+

A very strong effort, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a sweet perfume of blue and black fruits intermixed with hints of toasty oak, graphite, truffles, and forest floor. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated with remarkably silky tannins for a 2006, it will benefit from 3-4 more years of cellaring, and should keep for 20-25 years.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90-92

"Saturated bright ruby. Musky aromas of black raspberry liqueur, peat, violet and game. Sappy, broad and thick, with a high-pH palate feel in conjunction with a very primary grapey character. This is very ripe but uncompromisingly dry, finishing with substantial tannins and alcohol. With aeration, I got a suggestion of raisined fruit. It was a bit disorienting tasting here with Marc Aubert, directly after sampling the 2005s and 2006s at Colgin-two vintages that Aubert vinified there before moving on to Bryant. Aubert's first vintage at Bryant was the 2007, and he did a considerably longer maceration (50 days) than ex-winemaker Philippe Melka practiced in 2005 and 2006."

Wine Spectator 98

Delightfully complex, elegant, rich and subtle, with a core of ripe, spicy currant, black cherry and plum that�s pure and focused, supple and juicy, with an amazing finish that reverberates with flavor. Shows great balance, concentration and persistence. Best from 2010 through 2020.