Deep ruby-red. Knockout nose combines sappy cassis, blueberry, brown spices and chocolate, plus a suggestion of dust. Great concentration and depth in the mouth; dense but juicy, with wild flavors of chocolate covered cherry, mocha, leather and game. Pliant, multilayered and seamless. A classic California cabernet, already displaying an extravagant personality. Slightly tight but very long on the finish. This was a knockout from barrel 18 months ago, and I'm happy to report that it's every bit as good in the bottle.

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The current release, the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, is a prodigious Cabernet. I had it at a tasting in Japan, and the Japanese were as enthusiastic about it as my rating suggested they should be. They were crestfallen when informed they probably would not be able to buy multiple cases of the wine! The 1994 combines the vintage's spectacularly ripe, luscious fruit with a rarely seen degree of elegance and finesse. The wine is extremely rich, as well as gorgeously poised and graceful. The saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by Medoc-like, lead pencil aromas intermixed with cassis, cedar, minerals, and spice. I wrote the word "great" four different times in my most recent tasting note, which mirrored every other tasting note I have. It is full-bodied and seamless, with a silky texture, voluptuous richness, and fabulous purity. The finish lasts for over 40 seconds.

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A dark, dense and potent youngster, with a tight core of juicy blackberry and black cherry fruit that's deeply concentrated and supported by firm, ripe, integrated tannins. It's still a little awkward, so decanting is advised.--California Cabernet '74/'84/'94 retrospective. 2,000 cases made.

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A wine that simply has everything and makes you realize you don't have the adjectives to properly describe the depth and beauty of this wine.