2003 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder

Dark garnet. Initially more minty than the 2009. But still that herbaceous and black-olive complexity overlaying the cassis fruit and bud, a touch of soya sauce starting to show. Tannins are finely chalky, delicate but still present and still rich in lively 'mountain' fruit. More rounded than the 2009. Lots of freshness and a long smooth finish but still some compactness to the tannins. ~ (17) Julia Harding, JancisRobinson.com 6-7-2016

This is delicious, with lots of juicy, nicely packed black currant and black cherry fruit laced with singed alder, licorice root, warm earth and dark tobacco notes. Keeping its juicy edge through the finish, this shows a similarly hedonistic feel as the 2004, but a subtle tug of warm cast iron keeps it honest in the end. -- Non-blind Mayacamas vertical (September 2023). Drink now through 2038. ~ (93) James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 10-19-2023