2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate

Bright, deep ruby-red. Expressive aromas of plum syrup, spicecake, chocolate and licorice. Ripe and harmonious, with a captivating gravelly quality and a medicinal reserve to go with its plum and black cherry fruit. Showing less baby fat and obvious sweetness than the Vineyard 29 cabernet from the same winery, but offers a lovely sugar/acid balance. Finishes with building tannins and firm grip. Fairly backward, structured wine but a bit less bound-up than I would have predicted a year ago.

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Vineyard (90% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aged 20 months in 100% French oak) is a La Mission Haut-Brion look-alike. Burning ember, scorched earth, blackberry, smoked herb, and sweet cassis fruit characteristics are all present in this full-bodied, dense, concentrated offering. With a whopping finish as well as great balance and purity, it should drink well for 20+ years. Tel. (707) 963-1619; Fax (707) 887-1688

Saturated medium ruby. Much more reticent on the nose than the 2006, hinting at black cherry and menthol. Densely packed and very backward, with terrific juiciness and grip to the medicinal flavors of black cherry and minerals. Wonderfully sweet, lush and large-scaled but developing at a snail's pace. Finishes with thoroughly ripe tannins and excellent grip. Potentially the strongest vintage yet under this label.