This is mostly (97%) To Kalon fruit that is a blend of 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 1% Merlot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is classic (and great) with cassis, graphite, spice, tobacco, black cherries and plums.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this is still young but delicious.  Tight.  It unwinds in the glass a bit to show some complexity.  Flavors of cassis, black cherries, plums and some earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This still could use some cellaring or air.  Dri

This is from northeastern Italy.  Ordered off the list at Eduardo's in Chicago ($70).  Pop and pour, this is drinking well.  Light golden in color with a touch of yellow.  Clear and bright.  The nose has red apples and a nice minerality.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this has some apples but is mostly about minerality.  Tasty as well.  This is very food friendly and went well with a spring pesto salad.  Drink over the next few years.

Ordered off the wine list at Eduardo's in Chicago (Gold Coast) for $80.  A nice find except that it was so young, it really should have been decanted.  It is a blend of 56% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot.  Deep ruby in color with some purple hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, tobacco, spice and char.  Full  bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, there is some varietal complexity but this is very tight.  It never fully opened as the bottle was drained.  That said, it was enjoyable

Very nice showing for this wine.  At age 15, it is mature and needs to be drunk.

Made from estate grown fruit on Spring Mountain in Napa.  Togni is one of the "old school" producers still making great wines in Napa.  It is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but in the glass it opens to show cassis, dust, tobacco, cedar and vanilla.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Likewise, very tight on the palate.  Cassis, black cherries and spice.  Long finish.  This (no surprise for Togni) needs time.  Ideally, give this five to ten more years in a good cellar

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain in Napa.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is deep and complex with cassis, cedar, spice, slight chocolate, cigar box and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance and energy.  On the palate, this seems mature but just barely.  Layers of cassis, spice, slight chocolate and a lovely herbal note on the finish.  Good finish.  Really classic in profile. This should go another ten to fifteen years. Great on its own, this will work well with food as well.  A nice match with Prime Rib.  

Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries tobacco and char.  Nice, semi-plush texture.  Good balance.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Flavors of cassis, slight chocolate, spice and char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now and should have another ten to twelve years left.  Great on its own, this will work well with Lamb Chops.  

This is my favorite Israeli wine.  It is Kosher and it can hold its own among the best Bordeaux  blends anywhere.  It is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petite Verdot.  Ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose has cassis, dust, black cherries and slight chocolate.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, black cherries, spice and slight char.  Slight heat on the finish.  This is young and needs some air or cellaring to sort out.  Hold for as couple and then drink for ten after that.  It would pair nicely with brisket at a

Since the early 1990s, Paraduxx has created blended red wine to show off the Napa Valley. A bit larger and more macerated than previous vintages, it is still nonetheless an enjoyable, solid wine. The tannins are a little more aggressive here with the fruit being both expressive but still subdued. The more noticeable element is the oak; an 18-month program of both French and Hungarian, with 40% of the barrels being brand new. The composition is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, then diminishing proportions of Zinfandel, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Sirah, in that order.

This was my personal favorite in the excellent Boich collection of Cabernets. Inky purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, coffee, black cherries, tobacco and spice. Good acidity and balance. Wonderful plush texture. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is deep and complex despite being so young. Lots of cassis and black cherries with some spice and slight char and just a hint of menthol on the finish. Delicious. This needs another five years minimum in the cellar but should drink well for twenty years after that.