Cab Sauv solo: intense, deep color, but not a lot of fragrance. Good varietal fruit, good weight in the mouth, and good balance, but not much beyond good in any of those metrics. Great structure, however: the Oregon oak has already significantly descended and integrated into the wine since we took it out in February, when the Or Oak felt like it had really compromised the wine. What’s left is its signature spicy nose and just the right amount of grip. Definitely our structure component.

Merlot solo: here too the Oregon oak has added a nice dimension. The merlot only lived in the Or oak for only a month or so, but it added a wonderful dimension to the otherwise simple fruit in the nose. In the mouth, the wine is definitely juicy — though by no means jammy or weighty — and fruity, though not especially complex. As Mike noted, there was an odd drop-off of flavor in mid palate. It was also a bit carbonic (perhaps because part of this wine has aged in stainless steel?), which makes me think it definitely needs at least one more racking. Our fruit component.

Cab Franc solo: As always, the wine of the night. Lovely, enchanting nose; pure delicious fruit and spot-on balance (fruit, acid and tannin). Easily stands shoulder to shoulder with its relatives in Chinon. This will contribute aromatics and fruit to the blend.