The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder (from Veeder Peak) flows onto the palate with layers of dark, mineral-infused fruit. Graphite, cassis, blackberries, spices and new leather are some of the nuances that take shape in the glass. This is at once open and approachable, but also quite intense and mineral.

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Highland Estates is a fabulous wine. Dark red fruit, mint, spices, menthol and licorice meld together beautifully in this finessed, elegant wine. The black fruit has wonderful depth and more than enough purity to balance the tannins. This is a promising wine loaded with character and personality. The Highland Estates is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Veeder Peak aged in French oak, 80% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021.

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosche Vineyard is a round, inviting wine. Layers of soft red fruit, spices, savory herbs and licorice flow from this plush Cabernet. Despite the intensity of its fruit, the wine has plenty of underlying structure. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028.

The 2009 Merlot is intense, juicy and beautifully balanced. A burst of dark, juicy fruit is followed by mint, pine, spices and licorice as the flavors build to the finish. Clean layers of minerality and sweet notes from the new French oak frame the exceptionally polished finish.

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as quite soft and lush for a Mt. Veeder wine. Dark red fruit, flowers, mint and crushed rocks are some of the notes that flow through to the intense, saline finish. I especially like the energy and drive here.

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (from Keyes Vineyard) is a big, broad shouldered wine loaded with black fruit, smoke and licorice. Chocolate, blackberries, cinnamon, licorice and spices are wrapped around the plush, muscular finish.

The 2009 Stature is a deep, fleshy wine graced with supple dark red fruit, flowers, sweet spices and licorice. This is a radiant, approachable style, but there is lovely minerality and focus from the presence of several high-altitude sites that suggests the wine will drink well for a number of years. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec, mostly sourced from Stagecoach, Veeder and Keyes. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.

The 2008 Josephine comes across as understated and quite pretty. Ripe red fruits, flowers, spices are some of the notes that are woven together in this subtle, understated wine. Josephine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 9% Malbec. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028.

The 2010 Chardonnay Howell Mountain impresses for its bright, floral notes, citrus and crushed rocks. The Howell Mountain was aged in French oak, but the malo was blocked, which preserves minerality and freshness. A clean, saline finish rounds things out nicely. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.

The 2009 Malbec is an attractive, juicy wine...there is plenty of Mt. Veeder character in this focused, cool, mineral-laced red.

The NV History is a multi-vintage Bordeaux blend created to celebrate the estate's 125th Anniversary. It shows terrific depth in its black fruit, new leather, spices and licorice, all of which come together in a powerful, intense style. Layers of fruit wrap around the intense finish. The blend is 79.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.4% Cabernet Franc, 5.5% Malbec, 4.7% Petit Verdot and 2.6% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon emerges from the glass with dark red fruit, spices, tobacco and licorice aromas. It reveals good inner perfume and plenty of depth in a fruit-driven, approachable style. Darker notes of tar and licorice add complexity on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015.

The 2010 Chardonnay Napa Valley is a very pretty, round, soft wine. Layers of apple, melon and citrus are nicely layered into this generous yet focused white. Blocked malo gives the Chardonnay lovely energy. Even better, this is a terrific value. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015.

The 2009 Merlot is a mid-weight wine laced with soft red fruit, spices, French oak, licorice and worn-in leather. The wine's modest structure suggests it is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015.

The 2009 Merlot is an attractive, mid-weight red laced with sweet berries, flowers, spices and licorice. This pretty, understated wine is best enjoyed sooner rather than later, while the fruit retains its juiciness. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015.

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2009 Small Pot Shiraz offers a wild/yeasty nose with nuances of soy, smoked game, loam, orange rind and spices over a core of crushed blueberries and black cherries. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fleshed in the mid-palate, it has medium to firm rounded tannins, refreshing acidity and a long finish with layers of savoury and black fruit flabors plus a Provence herb lift. Approachable now, it should cellar to 2019+.

Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2010 Grenache is youthfully closed on the nose, revealing subtle hints of warm red berries over spice cake, black pepper and tree bark. Medium to full bodied, taut and packed with red berry flavour, it has a solid foundation of crisp acid andfirm grainy tannins, finishing long. It should drink best 2013 to 2018+.

The 2010 Roussanne is intensely scented of clover honey, apricot and allspice with jasmine, ginger and mandarin peel nuances. Medium bodied, dry and with concentrated spiced peach flavours, it has a good line of medium-high acid, a pleasant suggestion of silkiness to the texture and a long honeyed finish. Drink this one now to 2015+.

Only 80 cases were made. Deep garnet-coloured, the 2007 High Sands Grenache gives notes of warm raspberries, kirsch, and baking spices with hints of preserved mandarin peel, anise and smoked bacon. Full bodied and opulently fruited in the mouth, it has a good firm level of chewy tannins and enlivening acid, finishing loing and very spicy. Drinking now, it should remain good to 2016+.

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2009 Shiraz has a pronounced nose of blackberry compote, blackcurrant cordial and chocolate box with touches of dried mulberries and mint. Concentrated on the medium to full bodied palate, the rich expressive fruit is nicely structured with firm chewy tannins and crisp acidity, finishing long. Drink it now through 2017.

The 2009 Roussanne is a little mute on the nose, offering delicate lemon/lime and honeycomb aromas with suggestions of peach blossom and toasted almonds. Crisp, clean, dry and tight-knit on the medium-bodied palate, it has a long honeyed peach finish. Drink it now to 2015.

Very deep garnet-black colored, the 2007 Ironheart Shiraz has aromas of warm mulberries and evolving black fruits plus touches of dried Mediterranean herbs, tobacco leaf and salami. Rich and full bodied, the palate has a very good amount of mature, savory fruit with a velvety texture and just enough acidity, finishing long with an enlivening herbal lift. Drink it now to 2014+.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2009 Mourvedre presents notes of ripe plums and black cherries with hints of cloves and cinnamon stick. Medium to full bodied and with a generous amount of youthful black fruit flavors, it is well supported by a medium level of fine tannins and lively acidity, finishing long and a little savory. Drink it now to 2016.

Barrel fermented with wild yeast in seasoned oak, Yangarra’s 2007 Rousanne reveals a lovely honeyed lemon and white peach nose with hints of orange blossom, toast and cream. Dry and medium bodied, it has a good concentration of stone fruit flavors and balanced medium-high acidity, finishing long and yeasty. Drinking now, it should keep to 2013.

Deep red/purple; good colour. Dried banana oak, strangely spicy aroma dominates nose. Very odd wine: simple on nose and palate and not very appealing in its bouquet and flavours. Possibly unripe. There's an impression of green walnuts throughout. Another expression of spice. Later: it's obviously the influence of stems fermented with whole bunches.