2000 Behrens Family Kenefick Ranch Cuvée Reserve

The 2000 Kenefick Ranch Cuvee (a 390-case melange of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot), from a vineyard situated across the street from Bart Araujo's Eisele Vineyard, is a stunning effort from this challenging vintage. It boasts notes of creme de cassis, blueberry liqueur, smoke, game, and hints of licorice as well as melted chocolate. There is more structure and less exotic hedonism than in the Cuvee Lola, but a more classic, Bordeaux-like tannin structure. It admirably conceals the 14.9% alcohol. (Price not yet determined, release date 11/02) Tel. 707-963-1774; Fax 707-963-8206