1986 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Bella Oaks

The best wine of the first bracket poured at this vertical tasting, the 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Bella Oaks Vineyard features a well-preserved dark hue and hints of brick at the rim. Scents of cigar box and dried cherries mark the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, bright and lively, with a long, refreshing finish. Other bottles in this condition should continue to drink well for up to a decade, but there's no real reason to wait.