($105; a blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot) Bright, deep ruby. Pungent aromas of blackberry, black licorice, tar, bitter chocolate and lead pencil. Sweeter than the 2003 but also quite juicy; this possesses a strong spine of acidity but the acids are more successfully integrated than in the 2003 thanks to more supporting flesh. Silky in the middle but the tannins are a bit tough. The merlot was affected by the heat spike in early September, noted Lou Kapcsandy.

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A breakthrough effort, the 2004 Proprietary Red Wine State Lane Vineyard is a combination of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by lovely, evolved aromas of blueberries, black currants, white chocolate, licorice, and pain grille. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, finely etched, and impeccably well-balanced, with abundant amounts of sweet fruit, it should evolve for another 15-20 years.

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Firm, intense and concentrated, showing rich, focused currant, anise, blackberry and spicy, cedary, toasty oak, with hints of violet and wild berry. Impressive finish, where the fruit and tannins are well-integrated. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

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Tasted three times over five months, this wine is evolving beautifully. In the summer, the phenolic characteristics of the nose were somewhat dominating, masking much of what was going on elsewhere. In November of 2006, the nose is more evolved showing rich polished tannins with chocolate nougat, lavender and earth elements. On the palate, smooth black fruits, plum, fig, cherry with some hints of black olive. Nicely put together, needs time to settle down.

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Decanted for about 5 hours, deep dark ruby red, gorgeous nose of big cherries, blackberries and cassis. The tannins softened as the wine aired and were well integrated and soft towards the end of the bottle, a long soft finish. A great wine.