2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard

Inviting aromas and flavors of plum, black raspberry, minerals and tobacco, complicated by hints of smoke and game. Sweet, lush, broad and complex; this really spreads out to coat the palate. For all its dimension, though, there's also lovely mineral precision and lift. Finishes with ripe, building tannins and a distinctly juicy quality. This vineyard was picked last in 2006, in mid-October, and the wine was bottled in August of 2008, a couple months later than the other Colgin 2006s as the team felt that the tannins needed a bit more polishing.

The dense purple-hued 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard exhibits classic notes of creme de cassis, charcoal/creosote, chocolate, and subtle toasty oak along with beautiful ripeness, sweet tannin, and a full-bodied mouthfeel. It is significantly, as well as atypically, more accessible and fleshy than the 2005, a rarity for these two vintages. Colgin is one of the reference points for just what heights mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux varietals, and more recently, Syrah, can achieve in Napa Valley. This beautiful estate and winery overlooking Lake Hennessey is owned by Joe Wender and his wife, Ann Colgin (equally renowned for her auctioneering skills), who are assisted by David Abreu, the well-known Bordeaux wine consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud, and Allison Tauziet, who has skillfully replaced the brilliant Mark Aubert. As the scores and tasting notes suggest, this was an exceptional tasting. Colgin’s 2006s are among the finest wines produced in the vintage. Tel. (707) 963-0999; Fax (707) 963-0996

Bright medium ruby. Vibrant aromas of black fruits, licorice and minerals. Juicy and tightly wound, with a youthfully medicinal character to the mineral, licorice and menthol flavors. As backward as this is, though, there's also plenty of sweetness lurking. Ann Colgin notes that the 2006s are sweeter than the 2005s were at the same stage. Finishes with terrific breadth.