This is a true "reserve" wine in every sense of the word, but name. The juice that goes into this wine comes from the top barrels of the vintage and the final product is in limited quantity (226 cases). The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from the hot 2005 vintage. So far in the 2000's we've had three great to outstanding vintages: 2002, 2005 and 2007 (the vintage and subsequent wines are already being touted as "best ever" by some). '05 was short cropped, but the growing season was excellent, proof of which comes in the resulting wine I have before me. Smells of black fruit, pepper, cranberry and a bunch of black and red cherries on the nose; but what's a nose without flavor, and this one has it in spades: red fruit dominates with sweet vanilla and oak, there's also some spicy pepper and a dash of cinnamon ... to good to pass up. Great longevity - easily a wine made to stand up (or lie down) for the next 10-plus years.