Napa Wine between $50 and $75

Creamy vanilla-tinged oak cloaks dried currant and berry fruit with notes ofgraphite and crushed rock, firming nicely on the finish. A true to form Cakebread Cabernet. Drink now through 2024.

Aromas of Meyer lemon, toasted nuts and fig are supported by the underlying sweetness of honeysuckle. The entry is honeyed with ripe citrus, light melon and well-integrated nuttiness and a touch of mineral. A rich, full midpalate with balanced acidity draws out into a long finish.

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a big, rich wine bursting with dark fruit. This is a fairly immediate style, some serious tannins notwithstanding. Smoke, tobacco and licorice develop in the glass, adding complexity and nuance. The powerful, fruit-driven finish is totally rewarding, but this will be even better in a few years' time."

The 2009 Merlot includes 6-7% Cabernet Sauvignon as well as 1% Malbec. It may turn out to be the finest of these three vintages. Shafer had a very strong 2009 harvest that winemaker Elias Fernandez claims will be their best vintage of the last decade (very high praise given what theyâ??ve accomplished). The deep purple-colored 2009 exhibits sweet aromas of black raspberries, black cherries, white chocolate and herbs. Medium-bodied and powerful as well as elegant and stylish, it will evolve for 10+ years.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is laced with sweet red berries, plums, flowers, mint and cloves. It is an attractive, medium-bodied wine to drink over the next decade plus, once the tannins begin to soften. Today the 2010 is a bit compact. The Artemis is made from both estate and purchased fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.