The Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve is blended with 7% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot and was matured for 15 months in 30% new French oak. It has a deep ruby-purple color and pretty accents of cinnamon, violet, leather, dried herbs and bitter chocolate complementing cassis fruit. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet fresh, with finely grained tannins, pure flavors and a very long finish.

This grows at high-eleva-tion estate vineyards, predominantly from the mountains above Alexander Valley (91 percent) with a contribution from Knights Valley. That tight, mountain-grown struc-ture is apparent in the iron-filing austerity of the tannins and the restraint they place on the wine’s dark floral fruit. You could play off the capsicum spice in those youthful tan-nins and decant this for a slow-braised pork shoulder. Or you could cellar it for five years or more.