2003 Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (6/13/2010)
One of the richer, fruit-driven Napa Cabs I have had from the 2003 vintage. Impeccable balance. It was a tough year and not everyone did this well. Plump, ripe cherries, cappuccino, and milk chocolate with a tightly focused sweet oak character. Extremely long finish. Drink now. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker on GrapeStories.com

What though youth gave love and roses, Age still leaves us friends and wine.
-Thomas More

2004 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/9/2010)
Opened at 3, decanted at 6, drank at 7. Initially I thought it was a bit thin, but it became more and more impressive, gaining heft in the decanter and glass. Currant, raspberry, and espresso combine in this dark, brooding wine. Some red licorice notes too. The finish of chocolate covered cherries is extremely long and satisfying. Well made for the long haul. Hold until at least 2012 and and the prodigious fruit combined with balanced structure will probably take it to its 20th birthday. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker on GrapeStories.com

Photos taken July 20, 2010. I don’t know if it’s obvious from the photos, but Baconbrook seems a bit further along… as usual. BB’s clusters appear tighter too. Zero sign of veraison.

Butterdragon Hill

Baconbrook

The desk is piled high with unopened mail.

The light on the answering machine is blinking.

There are a dozen faxes sitting on the fax machine.

The email inbox is full.

Vacation must be over.

Not that I don’t love you guys and the wine biz, but it is really tough to sit down and (have to figure out where to) start working.

So…

When the going get’s tough, the tough go to Napa to taste wine.

I’ve had tastings scheduled for the last couple of days — a very pleasant way to “ease” back in to the business.  I am sick of the traffic on I80 and making the 140 mile round trip two days in a row.

The wines are showing great.  I was especially pleased with the 05 and 06 Baconbrook.  Those two wines have opened up in the last few months and are really singing.  Additional cellar time would still be optimal, but drinking them now with a good amount of air time would not be a crime… in fact, they are great.

Alas… sigh… boo hoo…

Tomorrow, I start working on all this stuff on my desk.

I promise.

Unless I get distracted.