Tasted with Baldacci’s regular Cab, this is a slightly tougher, less immediately opulent wine. The fruit is there, but the tannic structure makes it less accessible. Lush plum and prune flavors coat the palate, dusted with oaky notes of chocolate and smoke. Winemaker Rolando Herrera worked at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars as well as with Paul Hobbs, and he clearly knows his stuff. If you can cellar this 100% Cab though 2010, good for you, because it’s just so rewarding now. ——W.E.(9/1/2006)—— 95