Left to right: Jay Corley, Founder; Stephen Corley, Sales; Chris Corley, Winemaker; and Kevin Corley, Winegrower (Photo: Mark J. Burns)

2005 Corley Proprietary Red (Napa Valley), $55. 61% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah. Big, deep, rich, powerful, black fruit, coffee and earth flavors.

Winemaker Aaron Piotter, Ferrari-Carano

2004 Ferrari-Carano Prevail “West Face” (Alexander Valley), $55. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah. Big, deep, dense, rich, chewy, mocha, dark chocolate and blackberry flavors.

Winemaker Janet Myers, Franciscan

2004 Franciscan Magnificat (Napa Valley), $50. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Ripe, plump, lush, juicy, elegant, black fruit and vanilla crème flavors.

Winemaker Marco DiGiulio, Girard (Photo: M.J. Wickham)

2005 Girard Artistry (Napa Valley), $40. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot, 9% Malbec, 1% Merlot. Big, deep, rich, firm, solid, muscular, black fruit, earth and coffee flavors.

Founder and CEO Jess Jackson, Kendall-Jackson (Photo: George Rose)

2003 Kendall-Jackson Stature Red Wine (Napa Valley), $95. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Big, rich, ripe, nutty, elegant, black fruit and French roast flavors.

Winemaker Sara Fowler, Peju

2005 Peju Province “50/50” Red Wine (Napa Valley), $85. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot. Big, deep, rich, explosive, black fruit, dark chocolate and roasted nut flavors.

Winemaker Mark Lyon, Sebastiani

2005 Sebastiani Secolo, Sonoma County, $35. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Petite Verdot, 3% Malbec. Rich, lush, blackberry, roasted nut, cocoa and spice flavors.

Winemaker Austin Hope, Treana Winery

2004 Treana Red (Paso Robles), $52. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah. Big, rich, plush, super-ripe (indeed, almost sweet), blackberry, spice and vanillin flavors.

2004 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley), $200. 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec. Big, deep, rich, bold, utterly riveting, black fruit, spice and dark chocolate flavors.
BEST OF SHOW

2003 Archipel Red Blend (94% Sonoma County/6% Napa County), $40. 55% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc. Big, rich, bold, well-knit, black fruit, spice, mocha and nutty oak flavors.

2004 Lancaster Estate Nicole’s Proprietary Red (Alexander Valley), $100. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. Plush, pure, round, velvety, black fruit, coffee and roasted nut flavors.

2005 Ridge Monte Bello (California), $145. About 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Huge, tannic, powerfully built, black fruit, earth and roasted meat flavors — a wine for the ages.

2005 Viader (Napa Valley), $90. 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc. Lush, round, elegant, blackberry, coffee and vanillin flavors.