Ruby-red. Redcurrant, lead pencil, nuts and fresh herbs on the nose. Supple, ripe and sweet, with lovely texture and suave tannins for the vintage. Still, the licorice and herbal flavors are not as expressive as usual for this cuvee

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The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is evolved. A plum/ruby color is followed by aromas of toasty oak, tobacco, black currants, smoke, and spice box. In the mouth, it is medium-bodied, with excellent fruit on the attack, some real charm and roundness, but the finish is filled with astringent tannin. If this wine continues to hold its fruit, it is going to be a Bordeaux-styled, medium-weight Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 12-14 years. However, the tannin will need to be monitored because this particular wine could possibly dry out.

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Seductive and stylish up front, with pretty, supple, coffee, currant, anise and sage notes, but you keep hoping for a little more focus. Finishes with a thick, chewy wall of dry tannins.

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Truffle smell. After an hour a bit of mustiness blows off, and Bordeaux graphite smells starts to creep in. Dark red fruit. Bit darker than some years. Browning rim. Peaked, but still good and very elegant.