A combination of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2003 The Contender reveals soft, silky tannin, earthy blackberry and currant, smoke, and mineral aromas, and a surprisingly elegant format. Ripe, medium-bodied, and stylish, it is more of a lightweight than a heavyweight. (Release date 11/06)Tel. 707-963-1774; Fax 707-963-8206