2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

(15% alcohol; 90% To-Kalon fruit): Deep ruby to the rim. The nose offers compelling aromatic range, showing deep but cool scents of black cherry, cassis, sage, black olive, black licorice, mocha and menthol, plus an element of crushed-stone minerality. Conveys an impression of strong extract without undue weight and has more than enough substance to support its new oak. Boasts almost syrupy intensity to its dark fruit flavors but superb inner-mouth energy gives this very broad wine a light touch. The powerful, slowly mounting finish saturates the mouth with black fruits and chewy tannins. The product of an outstanding vintage for Cabernet, this is built for a long life in bottle.

94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Fruit entirely sourced from the Oakville district with 90% from To Kalon Vineyard. A record-cool growing season led to ultra-long hang time and a late harvest. All fruit was picked prior to the late October rains that caused much damage to fruit elsewhere in the Valley. Fermented in To Kalon tanks with 40 days of skin contact. Malolactic and ageing were done in French oak barrels for 19 months. More aromatic interest here than in the 2009. Floral lift with notes of mixed blossoms and flowered herbs. Black fruits including raisin and plum skin show on the palate alongside creamy oak spice throughout. Taut, firm, fine and abundant tannins with balancing acidity carries through to an elongated palate. The acidity here is less apparent than in the 2009 but still balances the tannins. Will no doubt integrate further and evolve with time in bottle. (ECB)

Bottle not too heavy! Lots of layers on the nose. Slightly tarry finish but clearly a lot of effort has gone into this. Far from opulent but reasonably well balanced and just a little hot on the end. But overall it is appetising enough. Like bordeaux with a bit more sweetness…? (JR)