2005 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

Good medium-deep ruby. Blackberry and licorice on the nose. Lush, superripe and concentrated, with a port-like quality to the dark berry and licorice flavors. This fat cabernet boasts serious sweetness in the middle palate and the tannins are sweet too. Shows a more convincing structure than the merlot.

More backward, but still accessible is the inky/purple-colored 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard. A sensational perfume of melted licorice, black currants, smoked meats, underbrush, and toasty oak are followed by blackberry liqueur-like flavors. This is a powerful, full-throttle, concentrated Cabernet to consume over the next 15+ years. Previously recommended: 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard (92), 2004 Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard (92+), 2004 Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard (95). Tel. (707) 738-6187