The Cabernet Sauvignon from the Aida Vineyard is becoming one of the most exceptional northern Napa Valley Cabernets, with a production ranging between 600-700 cases. The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Vineyard reveals aromas of melted chocolate, scorched earth, pepper, and creme de cassis. Fashioned from 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, and a touch of Cabernet Franc, it exhibits a superb texture along with those notions of charcoal and burning embers that come from this rock-laden soil. This full-bodied 2006 is more masculine and muscular than the 2005, without that wine’s complexity (of course, it has been in bottle for less time). While it is a successful wine for the vintage, buyers will need to be patient as it requires 2-3 years of bottle age; it should drink well for 20 years.
Robert Parker
93+