Vinifying the fruit from each vineyard separately, Ed and his winemaking partner Laurie Hook used gentle pump-over techniques for optimal extraction, and then aged the wines in hand-selected, custom-toasted barrels of new French Nevers oak. The wines went through 100% malolactic fermentation for added complexity and softness, and were aged just over two years before Ed selected the blend - 48% Steinhauer Ranch, 23% St. Helena Home Ranch, 8% Marston Vineyard, 7% Bancroft Ranch, 6% Rancho del Oso, and 2% Chabot. Also added to the blend is a touch of Cabernet Franc (6%) from Bancroft and Steinhauer Ranches. Aromas of cassis, black cherry, cedar and dark chocolate transition to rich expressions of black fruit, vanilla and brown spices on the palate as ripe supple tannins linger throughout the extracted and long finish.

Rating

...It is a fruit-forward, softer, more flamboyant, already seductive effort displaying gorgeous notes of chocolaty creme de casis, some spicy, high quality, toasty oak, a rich, plush, savory, expansive mid-palate, and a long heady finish...This wine is delicious yet promises to age gorgeously for 15-20 years...Drink 2005-2025 Robert Parker 94 points