2006 Three Sticks Cabernet Sauvignon

(a blend of 82% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot and 3% malbec; aged for 28 months in 50% new French oak): Deep ruby. Cherry and dark berry preserves on the nose, with complicating notes of anise, vanillin oak, pipe tobacco and dried violet. Open-knit, sappy dark fruit flavors show a good wallop of oak spice. Tannins come on late, adding shape to the long, sweet finish. This deep, fruit-driven cabernet is already drinking well.