2010 Gemstone Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Good bright medium ruby. Cool aromas of black fruits, menthol, minerals, bitter chocolate and camphor. Seriously concentrated and youthfully austere, with an uncompromising dryness to the flavors of black cherry, cassis, licorice and tar. Nothing exotic about this 2010! The wine's serious tannins call for seven or eight years of aging but this wine has the inherent balance and stuffing to reward patience.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is overly one of the few wines in this vintage that are distinctly overripe. Plums, black cherries, chocolate, sweet spices and new leather flesh out in this super-ripe opulent wine. The tannins lack a measure of refinement, while the alcohol is noticeable, especially on the finish. The 2010 was much more impressive from barrel.

(blended with 2% petit verdot): Good bright, deep ruby. Like a liqueur of cassis and blueberry on the urgent nose, with a complementary note of licorice. Layered, ripe and concentrated, with vibrant black fruit and dark chocolate flavors joined by a suggestion of tarry petit verdot. The substantial, rather powerful tannins hit the palate late. Should be classic and ageworthy.