Deliciously ripe and complex, overflowing with layers of exotic spice, mineral, sage, current and blackberry, and finishing with a burst of flavor. Tannins are well integrated.

The cool, gentle ripeness of the '98 vintage created this savory cabernet filled with scents of coffee and roasted meats. Oak lends a crystallized ginger character to the foresty, generous fruit, held tight by the youthful tannins. This is well structured and readily enjoyable with bistro meats, though it carries a complexity that should reward cellaring for six to eight years.

Saturated, bright ruby-blue. Sappy, spicy aromas of cassis, blackberry, blueberry and roast coffee. Powerful mountain-style cabernet, with intense flavors, of black fruits, licorice, shoe polish and wintermint, and strong underlying backbone. Here, too, the tannins are less sweet than those of the extraordinary '97 yet coat the entire palate. Not quite as super ripe or generous as the '97, but then not many wines are. The harvest in these vines began in the second week of November and ended in early December.

The outstanding 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a dark ruby/purple color as well as surprising opulence for a wine from this vintage, admirable elegance, abundant black currant fruit, a dense, chewy mid-palate, a fleshy texture, low acidity, and a tannic finish.It is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with medium weight, as well as outstanding ripeness, richness, and balance. Drink it over the next 12 years.

Medium-dark to dark ruby; attractive, intense, jammy, spicy, ripe currant and sweet oak aroma; full body; big rich, jammy, plush, high-extract, concentrated, toasty, very ripe berry fruit flavors; medium-full to full tannin; tart, rough, dry finish; lingering aftertaste. Needs bottle aging to resolve the harsh tannin. Highly recommended. 14% alcohol; 3,234 cases; 100% CS; released September 2000. Second Place.