2006 Cariad Cabernet Sauvignon

(a blend of 57% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 11% petit verdot and 7% cabernet franc) Good saturated medium ruby. Complex but reticent nose hints at minerals, dried herbs, sweet spices, hot gravel and tobacco. Quite closed but very deep on the palate, with an exotic spice quality (cardamom?) lifting the powerful dark fruit and menthol flavors. This very broad, classically dry wine reminded me of a top claret from the Medoc-and with its rather powerful tannins it may well age like a Bordeaux. Very unevolved today.

Saturated medium ruby. Knockout nose combines dark berries, pungent minerality, mocha, spices, dried herbs and grilled meat, plus an exotic liqueur-like element. Huge, oily and broad but quite uncompromisingly dry and not yet filled in. Finishes with substantial but ripe tannins. At present I don't find this quite as long as the 2005 model, but it's still early days.