($100; a 66/34 blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc) Good full red-ruby. Currant and violet on the nose. Supple, sweet and nicely aromatic in the mouth, offering more breadth than the "V". The violet note carries through to the back of this ripe and attractive wine, which finishes with firm, building tannins. Winemaker Alan Viader has been doing more extraction since 2005, including a longer pre-fermentation cold soak and more post-fermentation maceration. He told me that total time on the skins in 2006 was between 55 and 69 days, whereas not long ago it was more like 30 to 35 at Viader.

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The 2006, a blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, is laid back, restrained, yet an enticing style of wine made with a picture of Bordeaux clearly in its sights. Subtle graphite, raspberry, and black and red currant notes, along with some crushed rock and floral scents, emerge from this elegant, medium-bodied wine, which has avoided the rugged tannins sometimes present in this vintage.

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Bordeaux-like in its mix of flavors and structure, offering loamy earth, dried currant and berry, with touches of anise, sage and mineral. Ends with firm, dry tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

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