2002 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard

Weather remained mild through most of the 2002 growing season with warm weather arriving in September. Heat late in the season accelerated ripening and led to deeper-toned flavours in the wines from the region. A bit more transparency to the colour here. With a bit more of a hint of brick appearing around the rim as well. Star bright in the glass. Gunmetal and mushroom lift from the nose with accents of lavender. Mouth-watering acidity and fine-grained tannin, still offering a lightly tactile mouthfeel. Through the mouth, notes of gunmetal, black fruits, wet tobacco and a bit of cedar. A bit less interest and finesse to this vintage than others tasted, while still a delicious wine – just a bit more broad-strokes styling compared with the subtlety and finer character more typical of Kronos. (ECB)

Ruby-red. Red cherry, currant, plum and a floral note on the nose; this struck me as rather Burgundian. Supple, fresh and sweet, with juicy flavors of plum, cherry, mint and flowers. Offers enticing complexity and cut. Finishes with very sweet, fine-grained tannins. The 35-year-old vines here typically yield just a ton and a half of fruit per acre. This benchland cabernet produces ripe flavors and ripe tannins early, but the St. George rootstock helps to slow down sugar accumulation, notes Corison, who added that this wine has less than 14% alcohol.

Cathy Corison's 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard is a powerhouse, but it also comes across as a bit more forward than the Napa Valley bottling. Incense, tobacco, dried flowers, leather and game are all signs of a wine that is maturing. Black cherry, plum, chocolate and menthol build into the imposing, substantial finish. There's good depth, but I also suspect a less than perfect bottle, or two bottles, in this case.