2005 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon CRU

The 2005 Cru is a gorgeous wine, a seductive style of Cabernet with outstanding ripeness, purity, soft tannins, and an expansive texture. With loads of black currant and tobacco leaf notes intermixed with a subtle touch of wood, this is a beauty to drink over the next 10-12 years. The impressive talents of viticulturalist David Abreu and winemaker/consultant Philippe Melka have turned Vineyard 29, owned by Chuck and Anne McMinn, into a bright new star of Napa. There are essentially two levels of wine here, the estate wines, which come from the Aida Vineyard and Vineyard 29, and of course their negociant wines, which are represented by the 3,000 or so cases of their Napa Cabernet Sauvignon called Cru. Previously recommended: 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard 29 Estate (95), 2004 Cru Proprietary Red (90). Tel. (707) 963-9292; Fax (707) 963-7848