2002 Pride Mountain - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - USA - California - Napa - Napa Valley - Red

($118; a selected vineyard block consisting mostly of 30-year-old vines) Good red-ruby. Roasted redcurrant, mocha, licorice, dark chocolate and menthol on the nose; clearly riper than the regular cabernet. Then big, chewy, broad and deep, with powerful flavors of currant, chocolate, mocha and tobacco, sweetened by oak. Finishes impressively long, with big, broad, horizontal tannins.

The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) reveals an inkier purple color along with a classic nose of graphite, creme de cassis, smoke, crushed rocks, and barrique. Surprisingly approachable, long, concentrated, and impressive with flawless integration of wood, tannin, and acidity, it can be enjoyed over the next 15+ years.

A rich, supple, seductive style, with layers of mocha, currant, wild berry, plum and cedar, it serves up a wealth of flavor and those who like their fruit ripe with ample oak will find this exhilarating. 1,200 cases made.

This stuff gets better and better...wonderful expressive fruit tannins softening but still present but moving to the background. Really elegant wine.

Not the 2001. Frankly sweet in the mouth with aromas of milk and diffuse fruit. Jarring acidity does not do enough to counterbalance the sugar. Lots of power but rather simple.