2010 Viader Proprietary Red

This dark ruby/plum/purple-tinged blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Cabernet Franc reveals attractive raspberry, black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with hints of forest floor and flowers. Elegant, medium-bodied and delicious with no hard edges, it offers a sweet inner-core of fruit, so drink this attractive, stylish 2010 over the next 10-12 years. Tel. (707) 963-3816

Presented by Janet Viader. Estate fruit from Howell Mountain. 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc. Very ripe fruit, verging on raisined (unless the bottle was not the freshest). Firm, grainy tannins, long and rich. Tastes very ripe and sun-kissed given that it was a relatively cool vintage – perhaps due to the orientation of the vines down the hill so that they get a lot of afternoon sun. (JH)

(72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% cabernet franc): Good bright medium red. Aromas of redcurrant, red cherry, mocha and nutty oak. In a lush, sweet style for this bottling, with a very fine-grained texture and good floral lift to the red fruit flavors. Substantial but very sweet tannins coat the front teeth on the long, plush back end. This seemed more explosive from barrel--or maybe it suffered by being served after the electric 2011. But this has the stuffing and balance for a graceful evolution in bottle.