2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard

(14.5% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Slightly medicinal but ripe nose offers bitter cherry, cassis, dark chocolate and licorice. Juicy and energetic but a bit youthfully clenched, with a medicinal quality to its black fruit flavors. I almost prefer the Artemis for its more pliant texture but this one is riper, even if it's more chunky and backward today.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Fay stands out for its delineation and nuance. Sweet floral notes meld into plums, menthol black cherries, violets and tar. With time in the glass, the wine fleshes out beautifully. Today the tannins are firm, but once they soften the fruit should begin to emerge more fully. There is plenty of vibrancy and energy in the 2010, although the wine does shut down quickly in the glass.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Fay stands out for its delineation and nuance. Sweet floral notes meld into plums, menthol black cherries, violets and tar. With time in the glass, the wine fleshes out beautifully. Today the tannins are firm, but once they soften the fruit should begin to emerge more fully. There is plenty of vibrancy and energy in the 2010, although the wine does shut down quickly in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. These 2010 Cabernet Sauvignons from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars are just as exciting from bottle as they were from barrel last year. The improvement in quality that has taken place here over the last few years is simply remarkable. I also tasted several samples of the 2011s, but as was the case at many addresses, the wines were too raw and unfinished to properly evaluate. Unfortunately, there will be no 2011 Cask 23. Tel. (707) 944-2020; www.cask23.com