Husband-wife Luke Evnin and Deann Wright own Annulus Cellars. Nigel Kinsman met them through Bart Araujo. They make the wine at Wheeler Farms in Rutherford and source grapes from some of Napa's top sites. This is from Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard in Oakville, entirely from Block 2 on the southern side up against Hopper Creek. Incredibly polished and refined with no hard edges. Superfine tannins are intricate and lengthy, underscored by a firm spine of lacy acidity. The fruit profile is pure, ripe, and succulent, with a density lifted by that bright spine of acidity. Flavours and aromas of blackberry and black cherry are nuanced by crushed cocoa nibs, tobacco and rich earth on the lengthy finish. Gorgeous now and capable of long-term cellaring. (JC)