2003 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate McWilliam's Vineyard

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (finished with a screw cap) possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a stunningly pure nose of creme de cassis, graphite, licorice, forest floor and a hint of black truffles. Full-bodied and velvety textured with stunning opulence that expresses this tenderloin sector of Napa Valley so brilliantly, a multidimensional mouthfeel and a blockbuster finish, this profound wine (14.8% natural alcohol) appears even superior to what I remember tasting in its infancy. At $68 a bottle, it-s a steal for a wine of such world-class quality! The finish lasts for 40-45 seconds. While it has reached its plateau of full maturity, there is no danger of it falling apart for at least another 15-20 years. Bravo! Now in the hands of the Getty family and its terrific winemaking team, this is a special site right off the Oakville Crossroads, sandwiched between Groth (the first Napa Cabernet to which I gave 100 points in 1985), the famous Rudd Estate to the east, and the renowned Screaming Eagle to the south. Talk about a high rent zip code! The Plumpjack vineyards are often called the McWilliams Oakville Vineyard. I know this because it was here that Nils Venge made some extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon from what was then called the Villa Mt. Eden estate. I still have a handful of bottles in my cellar from 1985. These were legendary wines that have aged incredibly. If anything, Plumpjack has ratcheted up the level of quality, so one would think they have even more upside potential than their predecessors. Tel. (707) 945-1220; Fax (707) 944-0744