The 2004 Icaria Cabernet Sauvignon is a special wine. Admiring the elegant label and cracking the wax seal (versus tearing sharp foil) sets the mood. Pouring, smelling, tasting confirms your first impressions. The flavor is powerful and memorable. A perfect balance of tanins and fruits. There are berries galore here, but it’s not overwhelmingly jammy. I swear, the flavor lasts on the palette forever, exiting back through your nose as you exhale. What is that taste? I’m closing my mouth after swallowing, and exhaling very slowly through my nose again. So pleasant.

If you’ve got this wine, or are familiar with it, or if my review inspires you to try it, please comment here and let me know what tastes it brings to mind. Searching for the answer is a wonderful experience.

Having a four year old daughter has its virtues in many ways. One is that you get to meet the parents of other 4 year olds and this is how we found Michall and Jeannine Pendleton. Owners of Pendleton Estate Vineyards & Winery, located in the hills of northern Alexander Valley, Mike is crafting outstanding wines. Mike’s care and passion seems to reach from each and every grape as it comes off the vine to the appreciation of the finished wine as it is enjoyed from the glass. His wines are really well balanced, drinkable now, full of fruit and complex. If you have plans to be traveling along the 128 in route to Mendocino County, be sure to give Mike a call for a tasting of some of the best handcrafted small-lot wines from Sonoma County.