A young five year old that only starts to show its stride after four hours of air, this offers plenty of promise for 2016 to 2020, and enjoyment now with a decanter and planning ahead. At first it was tight, shy on the nose and black fruit and tannins on the palate. Four hours later, though, the nose is blueberry and black cherry pie. The same fruits, adding unsweetened chocolate, high notes of tobacco leaf and a touch of eucalyptus from Howell Mountain, Rutherford dust from Gary Morisoli Vineyards, and vanilla doesn’t overpower now and will fade with more time, all make a complex but well-knit palate. Tannins are dust-fine and sweet. The finish lingers. Buy it now but cellar it for five more years. When you do drink it, drink it with a black-and-blue ribeye and fried onions. Highly recommended. DH
WHO: Karl Lawrence
WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon
WHERE: Napa Valley, California
WHEN: 2006
HOW MUCH: $60
