Honey, damp earth, acacia flower, lemon, and a saline note of oyster shell. Thick and strong in extract; rich, ripe and resiny. This has put on considerable weight since its first year in barrel, but still retains a racy briskness. Comes across today as fresher and even longer than the '96, yet shows more fat to buffer its brisk acidity. Or is the '96 just in a shell from the recent bottling?

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

50% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid ruby. Occluded nose. Rather a gentle beast. Rich and sweet with the bite of dust tannins on the finish. Very sweet and flattering. Very definitely a smudgy 'cloud’ of a wine. Medium weight. Not lots of intensity. Quite delicate. But lovely length even if the dryness of the tannins is starting to triumph. Long.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

This vintage is aging at a glacial pace and the tannins are currently more significant than their counterbalancing components of fruit and glycerin. While the word 'potentialâ?� seems to be the most positive descriptor for this vintage, there are some nagging doubts about whether all the tannins will melt away and the fruit will hold. As in most 1995s, the color remains a healthy dark plum/purple. One of the bigger wines of the vintage, the ripe, powerful Merlot component has buttressed the Cabernet elements, giving the wine plenty of body, tannin and La Mission's classic asphalt, cassis, blackberry, smoky barbecue, meaty notes intermixed with a hint of hot rocks. The 1995 is still a young wine and I am beginning to wonder if this vintage overall will resemble 1975 rather than something with more charm?

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

Textbook red from this appellation, with plum, blackberry and hints of fresh mushrooms. Full-bodied, with lovely smoke, berry and cherry flavors. Very velvety. Best after 2001.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio