December 2005 Over the last twelve months, Wine & Spirits tasted 669 cabernet sauvignon & cabernet-based blends. The following 18 wines received the strongest praise from our critics. A list of all cabernet sauvignon & cabernet-based blend wines tasted, with the recommended wines highlighted, is available on www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com.

Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet-based blends
96 I Diamond Creek $175 2002 Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon The energy in this wine makes it feel like it's on fire, but it's not at all hot. In fact, it tastes cool, with fresh cherries layered over the earthy succulence of the tannin. That umami savor, the fruit of the earth lasts for minutes after each sip. Beautifully integrated and dynamic. (498 cases) (W&S 12/05) Diamond Creek Vineyards, Calistoga, CA
96 I Diamond Creek $175 2002 Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Scents of anise, cassis and deeper, plummier flavors develop out of the mineral essence of this wine, from cabernet planted in white volcanic tuff. The fragrant nature of the fruit is inseparable from the structure; this may be the most compelling Volcanic Hill we've tasted on release. (573 cases) (W&S 12/05) Diamond Creek Vineyards, Calistoga, CA
95 I Diamond Creek $175 2002 Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon The beautiful color of this wine seems to imply how much fresh fruit it holds: plump, tart cherry with an earthy mineral structure pushed out to the edges. The structure keeps the fruit lifted, fresh and tense. (466 cases) (W&S 12/05) Diamond Creek Vineyards, Calistoga, CA
95 I Amavi $22 2002 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon The fresh black currant fruit is full and rich, laced with rosemary and olive. It holds together with uncanny poise, finishing with a bright fraise de bois flavor, long and lifted. Buy it by the case and serve with spit-roasted chicken or suckling pig. (3,221 cases) (W&S 10/05) Amavi Cellars, Walla Walla, WA
95 I Duckhorn $95 2002 Napa Valley Estate Grown Monitor Ledge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon The brightness of the flavors makes the first impression, the wine's mouthwatering freshness delicious from the moment it's opened. Along with that refinement and ease, there's a tension to sustain the wine as it develops. (334 cases) (W&S 12/05) Duckhorn Vineyards, St. Helena, CA
95 I Joseph Phelps $100 2001 Napa Valley Insignia This is a great vintage of Insignia, a great Napa cabernet that will last for decades. The balance is amazing, incorporating beautiful red fruit deepening to black cherry, a lot of alcohol and oak holding it structured and strong. The texture is flawless with rich Stags Leap tannins. (W&S 2/05) Joseph Phelps Vineyards, St. Helena, CA
94 I Dominus $109 2002 Napa Valley This wine combines staying power with tremendous elegance. The complex red fruit scents and satin pleasure of the texture make it well worth opening a bottle now. Age will add to the earthy complexity. (5,000 cases) (W&S 12/05) Dominus Estate, Yountville, CA
94 I Fantesca $60 2002 Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon The lasting impression is crisp black cherries, cool as the mountain air at night, the depth of flavor leaving your mouth refreshed even as the tannins explode. (850 cases) (W&S 12/05) Fantesca Estate & Winery, St. Helena, CA
94 I L'Ecole No. 41 $45 2002 Walla Walla Valley Perigee Seven Hills Vineyard This savory wine hints at soy, beefsteak tomato, cassis and red cherryÑnailing it as textbook Walla Walla. The flavors build power allied with succulent length. (1,160 cases) (W&S 6/05) L'Ecole No. 41, Lowden, WA
94 I La Jota $90 2002 Napa Valley, Howell Mountain 21st Anniversary Release Cabernet Sauvignon The graciousness of the fruit defies the tannic weight, leaving a velvet impression, extremely delicious. This should age into a beauty. (895 cases) (W&S 12/05) La Jota Vineyard Co., Angwin, CA
94 I Leonetti $100 2002 Walla Walla Valley Reserve Ferrous, earthy elements and cigar-box spice are informed with pristine red berry fruit and generous oak. The wine has stature, the dimension and grandeur of great Bordeaux. (716 cases) (W&S 10/05) Leonetti Cellar, Walla Walla, WA
94 I Pepper Bridge $50 2002 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon A beguiling cedar scent holds black cherry and plum aromas in check. As the fruit comes center-stage, it's grounded by gentle tannins and pulse-quickening acidity. (3,059 cases) (W&S 12/05) Pepper Bridge Winery, Walla Walla, WA
94 I Ramey $65 2002 Diamond Mountain Red A beauty layered in black. Scents of rose, red raspberry and purple plum emerge from its dark intensity. This wields tannic power within the fruit itself, completely integrated to yield a lasting savor. (1,330 cases) (W&S 4/05) Ramey Wine Cellars, Healdsburg, CA
94 I Shafer $175 2001 Napa Valley, Stags Leap District Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon This wine is refined, neither overtly fruity nor superripe. Its power seems to come right out of the groundÑthe chocolate richness of SLD tannins. (2,500 cases) (W&S 12/05) Shafer Vineyards, Napa, CA
94 I Frias $60 2002 Napa Valley, Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Sexy complexity pours out of the glass in scents of violets and flavors of fresh berries in the morning sun. This has tremendous length, yet it leaves room for you and for food. (600 cases) (W&S 10/05) Frias Family Vyd., St. Helena, CA
94 I Stonegate $50 2001 Diamond Mountain Reserve Spaulding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Sleek and rare as any cult wine, this is outrageously tannic, but those tannins meld completely into the deep richness of fruit, shot through with brightness. (150 cases) (W&S 6/05) Stonegate Winery, Cloverdale, CA
94 I Terra Valentine $35 2002 Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon This has the intensity of well-grown mountain fruit, with rose-like floral scents over mouthwatering red and black berry flavors. A wine for friends and grilled lamb chops. (W&S 12/05) Terra Valentine Vines, St. Helena, CA
94 I Whitman $24 2002 Walla Walla Valley Narcissa Complex aromas of tobacco, dried tomato and soy all overlay wild red fruit. Its generous, bright red cherry flavors lead elegantly into a long finish. Drinking beautifully now; to buy by the case. (2,500 cases) (W&S 06/05) Whitman Cellars, Walla Walla, WA