Performing even better than when I originally tasted it (scored 96+ at that time), the 2005 is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot. The first vintage where Allison Tauziet had complete control after Mark Aubert left to pursue his own wine venture, the 2005 continues to grow in stature and complexity. It exhibits an opaque purple color, a youthful style (it tastes like a 2-3 year old wine) and abundant notes of black fruits, acacia flowers, espresso, white chocolate, crushed rock and licorice. Full-bodied and velvety textured with fabulous concentration, high but sweet tannin and a 60+ second finish, it needs 4-5 more years of cellaring and should age effortlessly over the following 25-30 years.

Ripe and intense, with firm, minerally tannins that have a dry, dusty edge wrapped about the earthy dried currant and black cherry fruit that's deep and concentrated, ending with a long, persistent finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2010 through 2017. 900 cases made. -JL

Cariad is an interesting Bordeaux blend, the ’05 consisting of Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. It feels a little tentative now, as if the components are still learning how to mesh. There’s a shy, tannic quality to the cherry, currant, chocolate and plum flavors, and a glyceriney mouthfeel that makes the wine slippery smooth. Give it a few years of cellaring, and it should perform well through 2017, at least.——S.H.(6/1/2008)—— 95