Aromas of black plum, black olive and violet lead into a texturally dynamic palate loaded with ripe but not overdone black currant, baking spice and vanilla flavors. Strong acidity drives the finish.

Tasted from barrel, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is very promising, revealing a youthfully primary bouquet of currants and plums that's already integrated its new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied, richly structured and generous, with a sun-kissed core of fruit and a dry, fine-grained finish. A cuvée that includes purchased fruit, this is typically a great value. I'm looking forward to seeing it from bottle.

(60% new French oak) Deep bright-rimmed ruby. Intense cherry and red berry scents, along with hints of cracked pepper, pipe tobacco and vanilla. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering concentrated red currant, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that deepen slowly and turn sweeter on the back half. Fine-grained tannins build on a long, spice-laced finish that leaves behind a suggestion of cherry compote. In the context of top-notch California Cabernets, this wine delivers remarkable value.

Bottle two weeks ago, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon offers classic notes of blackcurrants, tobacco, licorice, and smoke herbs, and as with the Pessimist, it's a whole lot of wine for not much buck.