Plumpjack 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley Oakville

WA 94pts. - Also 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Estate (only 530 cases produced) is a brilliant, but backward cuvee. Deeper, fuller-bodied, and even more stacked and packed than the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, it reveals graphite, blueberry, blackberry, and cassis notes in its rich, full, tannic, pure personality. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2006 Estate possesses a dark ruby/purple color, firm tannin, a dense constitution, and plenty of sweet black fruit characteristics intermixed with notions of new oak and scorched earth. It is more broodingly backward than the 2005, and appears to have a longer time line. Winemaker Tony Biagi appears to have carte blanche authority to recreate the greatness that existed in this vineyard when Nils Venge was making the wines in the mid-seventies, under the Villa Mt. Eden label. There are approximately 6,000 cases of the regular Cabernet, and 600 of the Reserve offering.