This is Hundred Acre?s second vintage. Surprisingly, case production has almost doubled from 2000 levels. Philippe Melka fashions this 100% Cabernet offering. The proprietor claims the wine needs significant airtime to shine, as a result this wine was periodically assessed over a 24 hour period (Extended aeration did little to aid the wine. It survived but did not improve significantly. The color of the wine did deepen however after airing). Medium black cherry translucent red colored wine with lots of thick lightly pigmented legs. Still frankly sweet in the mouth but less so than the 2000 (which has a melted Cabernet/Zinfandel frozen popsicle flavor to it that time has not moderated. This characteristic is not a positive in my opinion). The 2001 presents as a more adult offering than the gangly teenager that is the 2000. Unfortunately, the maturity has come at some cost because the exuberance that marks some of the greatest Napa Valley 2001s is missing in the Hundred Acre. A reticent yet complex nose of Campbell?s cream of mushroom soup, black cherry, cassis, black olive, cardboard, some game, chocolate, a touch of balsamic vinegar, and lightly toasted oak. Smooth and plush tannins frame sweet cherry fruit. Acidity is barely adequate. The wine?s fruit finishes quite quickly but the oak flavors linger. A very nice effort from Melka but relatively disappointing given the vintage?s quality. More of a slightly sweet Bordeaux than a top flight California Cabernet Sauvignon. I can understand why producers of low level wines such as Yellowtail and Marquis Philips leave residual sugar in their wines. There is no doubt there is a significant segment of the market that enjoys slightly sweet wines ? whether they admit this fact or not is a different question. After all, one cannot dispute that Jess Jackson made a mint selling cheap, decent slightly sweet Chardonnay (Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve Chardonnay) to millions of consumers. These cheaper wines fulfill a valid role in the marketplace. Selling sweet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at triple digit prices is another matter entirely.