Good deep ruby-red. Musky blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice on the nose. Dense, creamy and sweet, with lovely depth to the concentrated blackberry and licorice flavors. At once suaver and much more structured than the Tanbark Hill bottling, finishing with sweet tannins and excellent persistence. I like this wine's energy and cut.

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Dramatically better, the dark ruby/plum/garnet-hued 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate exhibits a subtly herbaceous nose with hints of sweet raspberries and black currants in the background. More backward than other great vintages such as 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002 and 2001, this medium to full-bodied, substantial 2008 needs 3-4 years of cellaring and should age for 15-20+ years. Although it is not one of his greatest classics, it is still a very fine effort, and will be very long-lived.

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Smooth chocolate and herb nose with a bit of graphite, blackberry and a whiff of vanilla. The palate is powerful and a little backward, a tightly wound aspect that softens some with air revealing black currant and herb and spice.

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