2002 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon

Good full ruby-red. Serious, deep aromas of black raspberry, blackcurrant and smoke; more medicinal and less floral than the 2003. Then plump and lush in the mouth, with an early voluptuousness rare for a Forman cabernet. Very rich, pliant wine that's not at all roasted. In fact, this wine's verve suggests it will be even better with several years in the bottle. Finishes with substantial but thoroughly ripe tannins Forman inoculates his cabernet with a yeast generically called "cepage cabernet" (produced by a French company in Chile ), which he describes as "superclean" and able to ferment all the sugars and preserve pure fruit.

Red-ruby. Come-hither aromas of cassis, cherry, violet and cedar; I might have picked this as a Burgundy! Sweet, lush, seamless and suave, with very ripe berry and chocolate flavors. Finishes very long and smooth, with thoroughly mature, fine tannins and lingering sweetness. "The ripest wine I've made in 36 years, but not pruney," Forman pointed out.