2004 Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Medium garnet in color. A beautiful nose of cherry cola, pencil shavings, and flower petals. The palate shows off a very showey and structured cab style I really appreciate. Lots of red/black fruits: currants, blackberries, black cherries, red and black plum. Amazing showing of some dimensional traits of leather, pencil shavings, and spring showers on river stones. The cherry-cola notes never really end. This really opened up after about 30 minutes in the glass revealing a deft backbone filled with meshy tannins and bounded acid. The cola note remains long on through. The finish is 90 plus seconds. I really love this one's showing tonight. If you love a plush chewy, but not unruly cab, this might be the ticket. (93 pts.)

1992 Penfolds Grange (Australia, South Australia)

Crumbly cork.

Still dark with nary a inkling of age. A nose of flower petals, lavender and calla-lilies which only got better as this sat in my glass for a hour plus. The palate had a wonderful depth of fruits: some black cherry, creme de cassis, and red plum. There was a lilty graphite note which was meshed beautifully with some lavender, tar, and earth, good earth that is. An extremely elegant, delicate and lovely wine with super balance and class. A minute plus on the back. This came out of the gate a winner and never fell behind. Wow. WOTF & WOTN 95pts

2007 Dain Wines Syrah The Smart Set White Hawk Vineyard

If there had been a single best $20 STEAL available ANYWHERE. I would like to try it. Until then, I say this is possibly the best deal I have made all year (And I made some good deals).

Medium garnet in color, the nose is all white pepper, forest floor, cranberries, cherries, and pomegranate, all intense. All in balance. The palate reveals a lush mouth feel of cranberry, pomegranate, Bing cherries, red plums, raspberries, fresh grated white pepper, wild lowers and wow. The balance is incredible. Perfect acidic conveyor belt whisping this forward to nirvana.
Unbef-inglievable. A super long finish and Dain's your uncle. (95 pts.)

2006 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon

From 375.

Initially decanted for 1 hour.

Dark as would be expected. The nose has some very low key notes of cassis, vanilla, cherry cola, and black cherries. The palate is very subdued with an almost 'hollow' feel. After 2.5 hours this opened slightly. When food hit the table, even more so. Admirable cassis filled with eucalyptus, lead pencil , tar and leather. This has a medium weight feel to it. A very lively acidic base with some great 'things' hiding out. That's right, things.

A nice finish of 1 minute plus. This will never be a 'showey wine', but will be sure to please in 3-5 years. 89 points

2004 Rockledge Cabernet Sauvignon The Rocks

USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

30 minutes decant. This is one of the darkest, densest wines I have had in months. Swirling coats the glass with a ruby tint. The nose has some cherry cola, creme de cassis and black currant jam. The palate shows a wonderful explosion of black fruits: Currant, black cherries, black berries, black plums. There is some soy and a hint of vanilla. All this is engulfed in a blanket of chewy textured tannins. Pure and clean, this is huge! A wonderful acid reminder-note toward the finish. A very powerful cabernet that begs for a grilled steak or chops. I think time will soften this, but its so enjoyable now with an extended decant (My third bottle). A super finish that I can still taste after 2 minutes while typing this. Wow.

Mike Hirby is one talented wine-maker. I am so excited he is visiting with my tasting group CLONYC next month to share some of his new releases. (93 pts.)