Christmas at the Stilleys

1997 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (12/22/2010)
WOTN for me. Funky nose, somewhat barnayrdy which almost blew off in an hour. Great nose and flavors of tobacco, cedar,leather and lead pencil. Dark purple bowl of awesome cherries. Soft tannins, put together well, great mouthfeel, smooth. (96 points)

2002 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/22/2010)
Slightly minty nose upon popping. Huge cab fruit, looks like a recent vintage in the glass. Dark purple. Vary complex and nice subtle spices in the background. Excellent wine. (94 points)

2006 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT (12/22/2010)
This is a big wine. Huge fruit profile of cherry and blackberry. Still quite tannic but awesome flavors explode in your mouth. Revisit in 5+ years. (94 points)

1997 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT (12/22/2010)
Mature red fruit, black truffles, soft round tannins, great backbone, good structure. Not gonna get better. These are the Italians I love. (93 points)

2005 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/22/2010)
Had late in the evening so the note is short. Absolutely delicious. Felt like a speed date that I would want to revisit. Big black and red cali fruit. Not for the faint of heart. If you like young cabs, go for it. (93 points)

2005 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines - USA, California (12/22/2010)
Peppery, nice blackberry and blueberry fruit. Some heat but didnt get in the way. (92 points)

1994 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia Sassicaia - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia (12/22/2010)
Some fennel on the nose. Color is still ruby red. Somewhat thin on entry. Fruit is there but drying out. Others who had wine in their glass longer than I did said it opened up beuatifully later. (87 points)

2007 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (12/22/2010)
Disappointment of the night. Has a sweet nose, almost merlot like in its bouquet. Entry and flavors are overwhelmed by heat and alcohol. Disjointed and very tight. You fill in the blanks: 1) Has more alcohol than ... 2)Hot as a ... (85 points)