2005 Whitehall Lane Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: By Connoisseurs' Guide Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines, Aug 08 Rated: 89 15% Merlot; 3% Malbec. There is a certain openness and juicy accessibility about this amicable young effort that speaks to its fraction bit of Merlot, but there is also solid, cassis-like, Cabernet fruit at work as well and sufficient tannic grip to make the case for mid-term aging. Look for four or five years of improvement, but it should stay in good shape and not fade away for twice that long.

2005 Stags Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet Sauvignon is synonymous with the Napa Valley in general and Stags Leap District in particular. In the Estate vineyards, we take full advantage of this ideal location, planting Cabernet vines in deep, well-drained loamy volcanic soils. For this wine, Kevin Morrisey blends Estate fruit with grapes from key vineyards located in many of the other prestigious Napa Valley appellations. This is a well-balanced, luscious and velvety wine with complex layers of plum, spice, and coffee.

2005 Darioush Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: "A big, ripe, intense style. Potent, with rich currant, mint and cedary oak flavors that fan out on the palate and then clamp down on the finish. Drink now through 2013. 8,520 cases made." JL Wine Spectator.

2005 Raymond Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: "Other wineries come and go. Raymond remains, offering solid Napa Valley Cab at a fair price. The '05 Reserve calls to mind the very fine 2000, but actually costs less. It's a dry, elegantly structured wine, rich in sweet fine tannins, and offering up complex, delicious flavors of freshly picked ripe blackberries, spicy cassis, baked cherry pie and smoky oak. Drink now through 2015." 93 Points - Wine Enthusiast