This wine is very much geared to ripeness, but is also brimming with intense, keenly defined offering fruit and is unstinting in rich oak. True to the winery norm, it is big, deep and dramatic, and it is not one that is likely to be embraced by those looking for refinement and grace. It is at once both lush and very well-balanced and will prove a certain delight for fans of expressive, highly concentrated, California Cabernet Sauvignon, and its fine spine of structural tannins guarantees a lengthy and increasingly complex future.

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner’s Select exhibits a dark ruby/purple color in addition to notes of charcoal, toasty oak, creme de cassis, and vanillin. This full-bodied, dense, elegant but substantial effort possesses silky tannins and a long finish. Sadly, there are only 500 cases of this beauty.

Smooth and fleshy, with rich currant, earth, anise and plum notes. Full-bodied, deep and persistent, with ripe, supple tannins. Drink now through 2017. 624 cases made. –JL

What a fine, beautiful wine this is. Shows every graceful aspect of a modern Napa Cab, from the perfectly ripened fruit to the unbelievably fine tannins and application of oak. Thrills the mouth with decadently rich black currants, creme de cassis, milk chocolate, anise and cedar flavors, but never loses an impeccable sense of balance and control. Best now, even without decanting, and through 2014.

#59 ON THE WINE ENTHUSIAST TOP 100 WINES OF 2009

Good bright medium ruby. Dark berries, mocha, bitter chocolate and tobacco on the nose. Sweet and velvety on entry, then round and sweet in the middle, with supple plum and berry flavors complicated by flowers and dried herbs. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins that avoid coming off as aggressive. "Our feminine cabernet" notes Steve Pride, adding that it comes from a block very close to the merlot used for the Vintner Select Cuvee.

Medium-dark ruby color; attractive, forward, spicy, cassis and red berry fruit aroma with hints of vanilla and green olive; full body; big, rough, textured, cedary, berry fruit flavors with good depth and intensity; full tannin; somewhat harsh and chalky on the finish; lingering aftertaste. Needs a good several more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.

Another top-notch offering in this vintage. The deeply-rimmed, garnet purple colored Pride Mountain delivers some impressively complex aromas of candied-blueberry, flower, cassis, mushroom, wet-stone notes, and savories. Remarkably flavorful, full-bodied, dense, and luxurious in its delivery of richness and long flavors. This distinguished 2006 boasts searing mulberry, cassis, and blueberry, with a broad finish requiring substantial cellaring due to the density and tannin. Wow, there is much to this Pride Mountain! Maturity period 2014-2033.

A fabulous effort, the opaque purple-hued 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner’s Select (last year-s review was for the 2005, not the 2006) is super-rich in texture, fruit, and depth. A big, mountain-styled Cabernet with sweet tannin and lots of personality as well as potential, it should evolve for at least 10-15 years.

Strawberries and cream nose. Sweet cherry, vanilla, coffee and chocolate on the palate. Nice acidity and tannins. Long. Drink from 2010.