2004 Napanook

Cabernet Sauvignon 83%, Cabernet Franc 9%, Petit Verdot 4%, Merlot 3%, Malbec 1%.  Made by Christian Moueix of Libourne's team in Yountville.   Dark with a fading rim. By no means in your face though it has the 2004 ripeness. Quite dry and subtle on the nose and then very rich and pure Napa on the palate. At the lower price this would definitely be worth buying if you wonder what the Napa Cabernet Sauvignon hoopla is all about.  (JR)

83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 1% Malbec from Yountville. 14 months in oak barrels. Supple and rewarding now, with a refreshing taste and softer-than-Dominus tannins. Cedar, vanilla, toffee and spice notes signal liberal oaking, though just 20% of the barrels were new. Snappy red cherry and plum fruit, exotic spices and lively acidity. All five Bordeaux varieties are used.

Good medium ruby. Very ripe aromas of plum, smoke and meat. Very sweet, even liqueur-like, with dense, superripe flavors of black cherry, licorice and menthol. At once velvety and fresh, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic character. Has the tannic spine to leaven its pronounced sweetness of fruit, and yet the finishing impression is quite supple.