2007 Robert Foley Napa Valley Claret

“The extraordinary 2007 Claret, which is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, displays inky notes of lead pencil shavings, pen ink, creme de cassis, blackberry, incense, and licorice. The wine is super-pure and super-rich, an extraordinarily full-bodied powerhouse of a Cabernet Sauvignon that should evolve for 15 or more years. Its sweetness of tannin and headiness already make it accessible. (RP)” (12/2009)

“A massive wine, but still very agile. Full bodied and chewy, with a wonderful spice and berry character. At the moment it is tight and is holding back, but you know it's going to be a big one.” (04/2011)

“Saturated bright ruby. Subdued but pure nose offers brooding black fruit aromas joined by emerging notes of graphite, licorice and exotic oak. Dense, lush and superrich but not overly sweet. This mouthcoating wine is a bit youthfully aggressive but already quite sexy, even if it really merits at least a few years of cellaring. Finishes with powerful but sweet tannins and very good energy and grip. More vibrant than the 2006 version. (ST)” (05/2010)

“Offers a wonderful sense of harmony, balance and finesse. Ripe and rich without being heavy, this is marked by complex currant, black cherry, anise, spice and sage, gaining depth and complexity on the long, lingering finish. (JL)” (02/2010)