The 1993 Les Pavots, another impressive wine from a vintage that has plenty of skeptics in the West Coast press, reveals a dense, ruby/purple color, and a complex nose of smoke, spice, toast, and black fruits. Medium to full-bodied, with an inner-core of sweet, rich fruit, outstanding purity, and a powerful yet elegant personality, this layered, multi-dimensional wine should drink well young, but keep for 20+ years.

Still big, potent, mouthcoating and firmly tannic. Tight and reduced, showing firm earth, game, iron and mocha-enriched currant, with a slight whiff of oxidation commingling with tar, currant, raisin and roasted meat flavors. Dare I suggest it's still not ready?--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010.