TN: 1999 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

1999 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/3/2007)Wonderful deep crimson color with purple tinged edges. The nose was restrained with some dark cherries and currant, while showing a little ripeness. Upon entering the mouth this wine was beautifully integrated with some secondary notes of tar and cedar. All the dark fruits were present. A great seamless tannin level had delivered this nicely to age 8. A smooth even finish completed the package. This had shown very nicely considering the reputation Dunn Howell has received for being a 20 year wine. Would have scored higher if just a tad plusher, but hey..it's mountain fruit.

Enjoy one if you have any. (91 pts.)

TN: 2005 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley

2005 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (6/4/2007)The color on this wine is crazy. Super dark and concentrated. The nose showed a little sweetness alongside some boysenberries, and a black and white cookie. This was a little restrained for what was expected. It was big and extrated, but kept graceful. The palate revealed some blueberry,blackberry, boysenberries, and red cherries. A fruit medley. This wine kept changing as the night went on. I like this type of wine, I just find my palate tires quicky if it is the only wine on the table. Alongside others wines this turns a conversation piece. There is alot happening that seems to evolve minute by minute to alot more. The finish was long and vibrant. I enjoyed this better than the 2004 Amon-Ra tasted last summer. (89 pts.)

TN: 2004 Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon EII Napa Valley Red Wine

2004 Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon EII Napa Valley Red Wine - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/4/2007)An interesting wine. A bit one dimensional and subdued. Great red-brick color. The nose did not reveal too much other than some sweet blueberry and cassis. The palate was a lillte flat. It showed some cherries & raspberry. There was a touch of oak. Medium tannis don't add ot detract. This wine reminded me of a Shiraz at moments, both in the nose and on the palate. A little extrated and sweet at moments. The finish was decent. I can see new world aficionados embracing this. I may credit the one dimesional thing as well as the flatness to being young. It should evolve into something. (87 pts.)

TN: 2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/4/2007)This wine was a monolithic beast. It showed a wall of oak that never really dissapated. Hard to get a read for a few reasons. (Fifth of the night w/3+ drinkers). Needs a ton of time. Thank you Nano for the generous 3rd bottle.

TN: 1996 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

1996 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/4/2007)From memory. This was number 4 in the night so I was getting a bit foggy. A little browning on the edges, this wine had some classic cassis, and blackberry notes. It did evolve in the glass showing some cocoa, and tar. It was showing some age; It was the 70 year old women that seems to be able to pull off looking 50 thing. It had elegance, and all the tannins have been resolved. The fruit was tettering on the edge. I found it enjoyable alongside my strip steak. Noit a B. Sherwin wine. Drink up! (88 pts.)