The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Rennie Reserve comes from one of the estate’s finest parcels in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains in St. Helena. Named for the winery’s founder, this deep ruby/purple-hued Cabernet offers sweet black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with a note of that loamy Rutherford dust. Full-bodied and powerful as well as elegant, pure and spicy, this supple-textured, forward 2008 builds incrementally in the mouth. Already drinking well, it should age for at least two decades. Tel. (707) 963-5711; Fax (707) 963-7518

A really rich Cabernet, jam-packed with blackberry, cherry, raspberry and mocha flavors that are slightly sweet, with a brown sugar taste. The sweetness comes from the caramelized oak, not residual sugar, but the wine does have a candied quality. A bit rustic now. Give it 5–6 years and try again.——S.H.(7/1/2011)—— 89