The 2006 Mariner exudes the qualities of a fine Bordeaux. At first swirl, this wine presents a beautiful mix of bright cherry, chocolate, and cassis elements framed by subtle notes of vanilla bean and coffee. On the palate, this classic blend comes together with fine tannins that support the dense fruit and structure of this full bodied wine. With more airing, hints of rose petal and earthy nuances provide balance, grace, and finesse. A long and memorable finish proves that this delicious young wine will age for at least a decade or more.

Grapes: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc. And 100% Dry Creek Valley appellation.

Notable Awards:

• Wine Enthusiast Magazine (Sept. 2010) - 92 points. "Shows the edgy tannins that Dry Creek red wines invariably display, with a sandpapery texture. That makes the wine, which is a Bordeaux blend of five varieties, a little rustic. But the dryness and bite are a nice alternative to the riper, softer Napa style, and more versatile at the table. Good now, and should slowly develop in the bottle for years.”


• Wine Spectator Magazine (July 2010) - 92 points. "Sleek, tight and focused, harmonious, well-proportioned and complex, offering layers of ripe plum, black cherry, currant, black licorice, mineral and spice. Ends with supple tannins and a flow of dark berry flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2019."


• Critics Challenge Wine Competition (June 2010) - Best Bordeaux Blend. "This very strong Bordeaux-style blend shows a lot of firmness from oak in the finish, but also impressive depth of fruit that keeps the balance appealing. The tannins are fine-grained and well weighted to the sweet, deeply flavored fruit, making this enjoyable now but also quite promising in terms of potential for future development. Tasting blind, I awarded this a platinum medal at the Critics Challenge International Wine Competition."