2009 Barbour Cabernet Sauvignon

(from 15-year-old vines planted just south of Dean & Deluca on Highway 29 in St. Helena, plus 5% cabernet from Howell Mountain): Bright ruby. Aromas of crushed blackberry, raspberry and bitter chocolate. Nicely sweet in the mouth, with an attractive chocolatey nuance to the cassis flavor. Finishes with gentle tannins.

Good bright, full ruby. Slightly reduced aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, violet, licorice and mint. Supple on entry, then quite primary in the middle, with good breadth but a somewhat unrefined texture to its flavors of black raspberry, licorice and minerals. Finishes with broad, dusty tannins. As with the ??, I wanted a bit more concentration.