2005 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Pop & poured. Dark colored with an almost mysterious opaque depth. Nose of bing cherries with some sarsaparilla. The nose is bright and inviting. The palate reveals some darker fruits of cassis and macerated blackberries. The nose screams Morisoli with it's sweet & creamy presence. There is much going on here, so bear with me; a plushy mouth-feel which hints of cardamom and velour; a multi-layered attack with purity and focus; leather, lead pencil, pomegranates and Kirsch Royal come to mind. There is a sweetness that remains from inception to finish, and a resurgence of cherries, just now of the blacker variety. Balance is near spot on while tannins are huge and in so need of resolving. Reminds me a bit of the '08 Charlie’s Patch I had last month. A long finish keeps this fresh and lively with just a wee hint of drying. A fantastic QPR, I might have to find a few more and bury them. Yeah, as if that helps. 92 pts