ALTAMURA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009, Napa

The ripe blackberry and licorice notes hit you right away, and the baking spice lingers beautifully on the finish. It’s got that rich, opulent feel without being heavy—perfect for a special dinner.

Opened this one last night and the blackberry and licorice came through exactly as described, with that cinnamon spice lingering on the finish. The tannins were so fine-grained it made the whole glass feel almost silky.

Those fine-grained tannins really do make the difference here—the finish stays smooth and detailed long after the sip. The baking spice note came through more subtle than the fruit, which I didn’t mind at all. Opened it last night and it was already drinking beautifully.