The 2005 Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet in color with intense cassis and mint aromas over subtler notes of pencil shavings, truffles, soy and black olive. Tightly knit, the condensed palate is finely constructed with medium-high acid and a firm level of grainy tannins. Still appearing very youthful, this wine should be at its best from 2014-2024+. Importers: Epic, Santa Cruz, CA; tel. (800) 322-3742, and Classic Wine Imports (Massachusetts only), Norwood, MA; tel. (781) 352-1100

Not a fruit bomb at all, this is a harmonious Cabernet, one that gracefully combines cedar and vanilla from oak aging with richly textured cassis fruit. It’s full bodied and firmly structured, with a long, elegant finish. Drink 2014–2020. ——J.C.(11/1/2011)—— 91