Another Oakville beauty, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon John C. Sullenger Vineyard sports an inky purple hue and gorgeous aromatics of cassis, currants, iron, leafy tobacco, and violets. It's medium to full-bodied, tight and focused on the palate, with building tannins, the fresher, structured style of the vintage, and outstanding length. It's tight and reserved at the moment, so hide bottles for 3-4 years if you can. It's another brilliant wine I'd love to have in the cellar, and it will see its 20th birthday in fine form.

Deep and dark with lovely perfume and spices, showing aromas of blackberries, violets, blood plums, graphite and potpourri. The palate is textural and refined, offering mouthwatering tannins and a polished, detailed finish. A charming single-vineyard wine with plenty of flash and tension.

Nickel & Nickel is one of Far Niente’s six Napa Valley brands, and it is the one tasked with making wines that are single-vineyard and single-varietal – so this one has no blending grapes added in. To me, there are two basic styles of premium Napa Cabs – smooth, rich and creamy and those that are more-savory and with more of an edge – but a pleasing edge – to them. This one is in the latter category, with lovely cassis aromas and flavors along with dark, mature blackberry and black raspberry flavors, savory notes, and lots of lip-smacking tannins – the kind of red that makes you hungry for food and for more wine.