2003 Thomas Fogarty Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $50)

93 point and a "Cellar Selection" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: "To begin with, it’s a very fine, well-structured Cab, rich and vibrant in cassis and smoky oak flavors. It shows the deep integrity that the best Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernets possess. However, it’s quite tannic, which gives it a palate astringency. So, will it age? Odds are strongly in favor of it. Best 2009-2015." (7/1/2008) According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 08: "($50) Ruby-red. Cherry, dark berries and tobacco on the nose. Spicy cherry and bitter chocolate flavors coat the palate... picking up dusty tannins along the way... there's plenty of fruit here, and zero rough edges." 1 Puff from the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "10% Malbec; 9% Merlot; 4% Cabernet Franc. Attractive hints of root beer and creme brulee sweetness merge nicely with a fair bit of ripe-cherry fruit first in the nose and then again in the flavors of this rich, relatively full-bodied wine. Tannins kick in a bit early, but there is enough richness at work to keep this one in contention, and a few years in the cellar should make for a more polished package." Rarely do we find a wine aged and ready to drink at such a fantastic price. This cabernet is a beautifully balanced Santa Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon. Black and blue fruit with a just a touch of spice and chocolate. The wine is full bodied and the tannins have really softened. This wine overdelivers. (Mike Jordan, K&L Wine Merchants)