A stunning yet reasonably priced, high end Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. The final bottling from the extraordinary Larkmead Vineyard, it boasts a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of blueberry and black currant fruit intertwined with licorice, bay leaf, cedar and fruitcake notes. Full-bodied and opulent, this precocious 2007 is drinkable now and should evolve for another 15+ years. David Ramey also produces Syrah and Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River and Carneros, which will be reviewed in the February, 2011 issue. Another look at his 2007 Napa offerings essentially confirm my comments of last year. I tasted through David Ramey’s 2009 barrel samples and they all displayed the friendly, charming, upfront fruit of this vintage. In many ways, they will be even more drinkable than the 2007s and 2008s upon release, but due to the style of the vintage, they do not have quite the power, punch or concentration of those two years. However, they are charming efforts and those who sometimes find California wines too rich may want to take a serious look at this vintage.Tel. (707) 433-0870; Fax (707) 433-0871

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up a mature nose of crème de cassis, baked plums and fruitcake with hints of incense and leather. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and in a sweet place at the moment, it gives layers of evolved black fruits and savory notions with a plush frame and fantastic length.