(made with 8% petite verdot): Bright purple. Pungent, ripe aromas of cassis, mocha, pipe tobacco and licorice pastille. Large-scaled, sappy and surprisingly elegant, with bright acidity giving lift and clarity to the velvety flavors of dark berry preserves, plum and cocoa. Sweet, penetrating and alluringly floral on the ripe, gently tannic, extremely long finish.

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From a site in Oakville, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is another huge, intense wine that also possesses wonderful nuance and delineation, a rare attribute for such a big Cabernet. Espresso, mocha, black cherries, grilled herbs and sweet spices lead to a huge core of blue/black fruit in this brooding, full-bodied wine. There is a lot to like in the 2009 Pedregal, but I can't imagine the wine being fully expressive until at least age ten. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.

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Rich and gutsy, but also refined and stylish, with an initial push of rocky and roasted herb-laced currant and dried berry flavors, maintaining its dry savory character on the finish.

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