($110) Good full ruby. Black cherry, blackcurrant, dusty licorice and a whiff of herbs on the nose. Then sweet and supple but cooler than the 2004 in its fruit character, with some mint and herbal nuances. Finishes with broad tannins and a suggestion of bitter chocolate. Today this seems a bit less sweet than the 2003 merlot, but these tannins are finer.

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The 2003 Proprietary Red (86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels) is a killer. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a big, smoky, fragrant nose of creme de cassis, smoked meats, plum, and licorice, it boasts great intensity, rich, full-bodied, powerful flavors, decent acidity, moderate tannin, and tremendous persistence. It has put on weight since I tasted it last year out of barrel, and should drink well for 15 or more years.

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Plump and generous, with fleshy currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit that's supple and focused. Ripe without going overboard. Finishes with a burst of sweet ripe currant and blackberry fruit and ripe tannins. 4,739 cases made.

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beautiful deep ruby red, soft nose of berries, cassis and leather, soft tannins which become much larger after about 2 1/2 hours, with a long persistent finish. A really nice wine to drink over the next 10 years.