The expressive nose of this Cabernet gives aromas of black currant, plum and tobacco, with just a whisper of capsicum. The palate displays vibrant cranberry, black cherry, cigar and black pepper flavors in a medium-bodied frame. This is a great wine for burgers or grilled steak. (TC)

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. 10.8% of the fruit comes from Mendocino County. Aged for 13 months in 42% new and 58% second-use French oak. Fined with egg whites and filtered before bottling.Smells of dark-cherry fruit, sweet oak and blackcurrant. Black-cherry and blackcurrant flavours mix with a touch of cola as muscular tannins grip the palate and squeeze with increasing strength. Excellent acidity keeps things fresh, leaving a fresh herbal note in the finish along with liquorice root and scents of oak. Young still, but with staying power. (AY)