Pride Mountain
1997 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley - $32.

Opaque purple; cassis, cola, blackberry, tobacco,cedar, pencil shavings, pine, smoke, tar, oak and cocoa; ripe, powerful, dense, extracted fruit with black raspberry and sweet oak flavors, slightly cedary, leathery, smoky; rich texture, mouth-filling, very full body; good grip and big, well-integrated tannins. Fairly priced.

Staglin
1996 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley - $45.

Deep reddish-purple; intense berry-cherry, cassis, cola, slight oak, eucalyptus, chocolate, anise; soft entry, huge cherry fruit, spicy, sweet oak, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove flavors; very rich, full body; slightly tart balance; long, smooth, tannic finish.

Caymus
1990 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Special Selection"
Napa Valley ±$175. ($55.)

Deep red with a garnet edge; heavy-toast oak, menthol, cedary, cigar box, forest floor, weedy, rose hips, faint caramel, smoke, leather, cherry and ethyl acetate; sweet entry, rich cassis, cola, cherry, pepper, dill and cedar flavors; slightly tart balance, faint volatility; medium-full body; long, with smooth, grapey-tart tannins. Ready to drink.

Steven Kent
1996 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Folkendt" Livermore Valley - $40.

Very dark purple; big, dense, classic cassis, cola, cigar box, briar, violet, cherry and berry nose with some vanilla oak, mint, cinnamon and allspice; round, rich, ripe cassis and black cherry flavors with hints of dill, eucalyptus, cedar, spice and celery; full body with some richness; Good balance; long, youthfully tannic finish.

Caymus
1994 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley ±$75. ($35)

Medium-dark ruby; complex bouquet overpowers varietal fruit with dill, cinnamon, clove, cola, oak, pencil lead, olive, spice, bacon, toast and charcoal with some faintly leafy and musty notes; big, slightly woody, boysenberry, bell-pepper and celery flavors; round, mouth-filling, very good balance; slightly astringent, very long finish; shone with food.

Woodward Canyon
1997 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Artist Series #6" Wash.- $30.

Deep purple-red; oak, toast, ash, very intense berry-cherry, blueberry fruit with hints of violets, lavender, caramel and chocolate; youthful, elegant, slightly hard-edged flavors of blackberry, blueberry, spice; good balance, seamless; light to medium body; young, tight tannins.

Staglin
1994 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley ±$55.00 ($38)

Very deep ruby; cassis, currants, berries, black licorice, eucalyptus, briar, spice with some vanilla oak, hint of brine or iodine; chocolate and herbal flavors of cinnamon, dill and bay leaf could use fruit; big, full body; well-balanced; somewhat drying, faintly bitter tannins, long finish.

J. Lohr
1994 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Seven Oaks"
Paso Robles ±$20. ($14)

Medium-dark, youthful purple; raspberry, cassis, cherry, faintly raisiny-pruney, weedy-minty with hints of smoke, vanilla, cedar, pepper; herbal, tight, fruity black cherry, cranberry flavors; light to medium body; good balance, slightly tart; medium tannins, fairly long, soft finish.

Chateau Montelena
1993 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Calistoga Cuvee"
Napa Valley ±$30. ($20)

Dark ruby with a slight haze; sweet oak, cedar and eucalyptus aroma over berries, somewhat closed-in, segmented; soft entry, tight, mature cassis, tobacco and cedar flavors are well-integrated; good balance; medium body, some richness; medium-long finish.

Von Strasser
1993 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Diamond Mountain"
Napa Valley ±$50. ($25)

Medium-dark ruby; somewhat shy nose of dried cherry, berry, cassis, faint dill, mint, smoke,brine, bark and funky must (Brettanomyces?); fruity, somewhat lightweight flavors; medium body; astringent, long finish with slightly bitter, somewhat dusty tannins.

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This Panel included Regulars Deanna, Glenn, Diana, Roy,
Marlene, Jon, Jim, Chris, Ron, Greg, and James

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About Cabernet Sauvignon