WA 93 Pts - According to the Wine Advocate - The 2006 was made from 32% Bancroft Ranch, 24% Steinhauer Ranch, 19% St. Helena Home Vineyard, with smaller amounts from Rancho del Oso, Chabot Vineyard, Marston Ranch and Lampyridae. A big heat wave in July was the salient weather factor in this vintage. The harvest began early and continued for five weeks. Abundant smoke, chocolate, espresso roast, cassis and mocha characteristics are found in this full-bodied, powerful, layered Cabernet. Although not quite as seamless as the nearly perfect 2005 Private Reserve, it is a big, dense beauty from a somewhat forgotten Napa Valley vintage. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades or more.
According to Wine Spectator - Ripe, elegant and smooth-textured, with supple cherry, plum and wild raspberry fruit that's full-bodied, picking up weight before ending with taut, dry tannins. Comes up shy on richness, but give this time. Best from 2010 through 2016. 8,300 cases made. Rated 90+