222. Geyser Peak Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 2002

€??; 13.5%

By comparison, the Cabernet Sauvignon was notably better, and suggested that the Reserve Cabernet would be worth holding onto. Nonetheless, this was lacking in a degree of concentration that I hope the Reserve will show in spades. But back to the details of the non-reserve: purple-ruby, mid-deep colour, with a purple rim. Cigar-box and milk chocolate hints to the medium-intensity aroma. Flavours more typical of warm-climate Cali Cabernet: blackberry jam with spicy, creamy vanilla notes on the finish, and lacking just a hint of tannin (?) or maybe acidity (?) to give a better structure.