1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill

Good dark red. Varietally expressive scents of wild herbs, red licorice and pepper. A dry, spicy, very fine-grained wine with terrific inner-mouth lift. Like the '95, this is still a bit linear and tight two decades later and may yet soften in bottle before it loses its energy. The tannins turn a bit dusty with air but the finish shows a compelling savory quality that makes it compellingly drinkable. (ST)

Jam, smoke, licorice and very, ripe fruits open the bouquet. Silky, soft, luscious and ripe on the palate, there is freshness and length in the sweet, fruit that dominate the finish. 93 Points

Tasted at the winery from magnum, the mature 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon shows some garnet at the rim but is still nicely colored and impressively dark at the center. Scents of cherries and dried cherries are joined by hints of leather, mint, cigar box and chocolate—it smells lovely and evolved, like a mature Napa Cab should. In the mouth, it's full-bodied, soft and voluptuous, with a long, mouth-coating finish. Made by Helen Turley at the Napa Wine Company, from vines averaging just five years of age, it's a terrific wine that's still drinking well (at least from magnum) but should be consumed over the next several years.