The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Patriarch is another sensational 2015 from this estate and is made as an homage to the founder of the estate. Currants, Asian spices, graphite, and mineral notes all emerge from this concentrated, firm, backward 2015 that's going to need cellaring to show its full potential. This cuvee comes from a site in Rutherford and spent 21 months in 75% new French oak.

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Patriarch shows a deep garnet-purple color with a cassis, spiced plums, black cherry compote, menthol, chocolate box, earth and tobacco nose. Medium to full-bodied in the plush, spicy mouth, it's expressive with lovely balance, soft acid and velvety tannins, finishing long.

Loaded up, with lots of mouthfilling raspberry, plum and boysenberry confiture flavors pumping through, enlivened by a well-buried bramble note and backed by a singed alder echo on the finish that lends cut and drive. Best from 2020 through 2036. 500 cases made.

This is a thick, concentrated wine from the producer's estate site on the eastern benches of the appellation. Leather, earth and blue and red fruit meld together within firm sizable tannins and prominent oak. The wine is made in a big full-bodied style.