2003 Garric Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L)

The inaugural vintage of this small boutique winery located in Calistoga, a joint venture between two friends Gary and Ricardo (hence the name, 'Gar-Ric'). They sourced fruit from two premium, low-yielding vineyards to produce this 100% Cabernet, which was aged in 80% new Marchive barrels. This was a tiny production--116 cases of 750mls, ten cases of magnums, and four 3Ls--made by the late Art Finkelstein, the architect-turned winemaker viticulturalist who built Whitehall Lane Winery and then went on to found his own artisan winery, Judd's Hill, with Pamela Starr (Crocker & Starr) as the consulting winemaker. "Richard Betts, MS: 'Loads of precocious personality highlighted with rich black fruits and heady brown spices. It feels thoroughly complete with bass notes of coffee and milk chocolate.' Jason Smith, MS: 'After my initial taste of Garric, the first words out of my mouth were, why didn't you bring a second bottle? This seductive and spicy cabernet is rich, full-bodied and well balanced. Garric is a tremendous first release that has a long, silky finish that begs you to have another glass.'" (from the winery)