(69% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 6% petit verdot): Saturated deep ruby. Pure but subdued aromas of black cherry, blueberry, menthol and sweet butter. Pure liquid pleasure in the mouth, combining the seamlessness of the Tychson Hill with the tannic force of the Cariad. This wonderfully sweet, palate-saturating wine is downright penetrating without betraying any rough edges. Finishes strong and very long, with mouthfilling chocolatey ripeness. A classic example of the way the best Napa Valley cabernet-based wines can combine sheer sweetness and size with structure.

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The 2009 IX Estate Red Wine is another breathtaking wine. It is the coolest, most inward of these 2009s. Graphite, tar, smoke, savory herbs, licorice and black fruit are some of nuances that emerge from the IX Estate. Here, too, the tannins are quite imposing at this stage, but the integration of fruit and structure is superb. This has more than enough stuffing to age for a number of years. The 2009 IX Estate is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026.

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A muscle-bound effort, tight, dense and chewy, with tar, blackberry, cedar and tobacco flavors. Ends with a pleasant wall of tannins and a persistent push of flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

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