($265) Good saturated ruby. Superripe aromas of cassis, black raspberry, bitter chocolate and licorice; less herbal than this producer's other cabernets from this vintage. A fine-grained fruit bomb, with a captivating sweetness. This really expands on the back half yet dances on the palate. The lush tannins reach the incisors.

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One of the greatest young Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever tasted is the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard (which I also rated 100 when it was first bottled). This wine has hardly changed since its release. Still incredibly youthful, it reveals a blue/black color along with notes of black currants, camphor, graphite, high quality unsmoked cigar tobacco, blackberries and a touch of oak. Full-bodied and multilayered with terrific texture and richness as well as a 60-second finish, this young, exuberant, slightly flamboyant classic offers an interesting contrast in style with other top producers (such as Schrader Cellars) that also farm parcels of the Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard. Like most young Cabernets, this wine can be drunk now because of the sweetness of its tannins, but it is a good decade away from full maturity. It should last until 2040-2050. Bravo!

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Fantastic aromas of black cherry, blackberry, currant, violets, mineral and light toasty oak, it coats the palate with a rich, dense, multifaceted array of flavors. The tannins are bold and concentrated too, though ripe. This is a potent young stallion of a Cabernet, with an exotic spicy finish. 611 cases made.

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Deep color with heavily pigmented legs. The nose is a bit reticent but has fine underlying strength. Blackberry, stone, mint, vanilla, and oak scents. Creamy with smooth, enduring, and layered dark fruits. Texturally gorgeous ? pure silk which is a very rare characteristic for Cabernet. Incredibly well balanced. This wine has it all ? power and elegance. An easy wine to appreciate but very fine regardless. 100% Cabernet (clones 337 and 4) aged for 20 month in 100% new French oak barrels (Taransaud and Seguin Moreau) before being bottled without fining or filtration. Unfortunately, this wine is priced oh so dear ? not surprising given that Hobbs? prices all of his wine very aggressively.