2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard

(includes 18% petit verdot) Glass-staining purple. A complex, exotically perfumed bouquet displays cassis and boysenberry compote, Cuban tobacco, potpourri and notes of singed orange and apricot pit; reminds me of a great vintage of Mouton-Rothschild. Fleshy and sweet, with palate-staining red and dark berry liqueur flavors, velvety texture and fully absorbed tannins. Awfully compelling wine, with superb finishing clarity, lift and sappy cling. I'd have no problem drinking this right now, but have no doubt that it is built for the long haul.

Ramey has discovered a fabulous source in the Oakville Corridor, and the sensational 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard (sadly, only 310 cases produced) is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot. Inky purple to the rim, with sweet creme de cassis, roasted meat, and blackberry fruit notes, juicy succulence on the attack, full-bodied power, plenty of glycerin, sensational purity, and a hint of bouquet garni, this is an enormously endowed Cabernet Sauvignon that builds incrementally on the palate, finishing with a blast of power and sweet tannin. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 25+ years. (Not yet released) David Ramey’s Healdsburg operation is becoming bigger and bigger, as evidenced by his 60,000-case production in both 2006 and 2007. However, quality continues to be exciting, offering a broad array of Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, and more recently, a handful of Syrahs. The entry level Chardonnays include three generic appellations, Carneros, Russian River, and Sonoma Coast. All three need to be consumed sooner rather than later. The three single vineyard Chardonnays are all from top sites, the Hudson and Hyde vineyards in Carneros, and the Russian River’s Ritchie Vineyard. Production is much smaller for these cuvees, from just under 1,400 cases for the Hudson to over 2,500 cases for the Hyde. Tel. (707) 433-0870; Fax (707) 433-0871

Inky violet color. Suave, impressively complex aromas evoke cherry, cassis, orange peel, dark chocolate and cured tobacco. Fills the mouth with deep, sweet dark fruit flavors, picking us supple tannins and smoky minerality with air. The finish repeats the deep dark fruit flavors and leaves a strong note of floral pastille in its wake. This should turn out to be one exotic wine-not to mention a worthy follow-up to the outstanding 2005.