2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate

Bright ruby-red. Slightly jammy aromas of blackberry, cassis and cherry complemented by spice and cedar nuances. Wonderfully sweet and mouthfilling but not a bit weighty, with its dark berry, spice and tobacco flavors firmed by medicinal menthol and mint notes. This suave, fine-grained beauty can be enjoyed now owing to its superb balance but it also has the penetration and cut to go on for another 20 years. Winemaker Matt Crafton describes 2007 as "a Goldilocks vintage," with long, slow ripening, no weather extremes and full flavor development. Finishes very long, with wonderfully suave tannins and no shortage of structure. (14.3% alcohol)

Deep garnet colored, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate displays a very slowly evolving nose of crème de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, vanilla pod and smoked meats with touches of dried Provence herbs, cedar chest and cloves. Medium-bodied, plush, rich and generously fruited in the mouth, it has a wonderfully spicy character and long baking spice and black fruit-laced finish.

(14.3%): Good dark red. Musky nose combines blueberry, black raspberry, cedar, licorice pastille, chocolate, mocha, licorice, sage and wild herbs, along with a lightly resiny quality. Supple, spicy, dry and classic, showing lovely lift and depth to its rather primary blueberry, licorice and spice flavors. The wine's high-pitched floral quality and its resiny spice tones nicely perfume the middle palate and finish. With its enticing lift and light touch for the vintage, this is just about ready to drink, but I suspect it will continue to gain in weight and thickness with further cellaring.