The 2005 The Puzzle plays it closer to the vest than the 2004. It is a beautifully textured, pure wine, but obviously needs time. It won’t be bottled for at least another year. The wine has a deep ruby/purple color and notes of subtle smoke intermixed with underbrush, black currant, cherry, licorice, and lavender. It is medium to full-bodied, has good acidity, and prominent tannins. Based on the way the wine was tasting when I was at Newton, this wine will need 4-5 years of bottle age, and should drink well for at least two-plus decades

One of the most spectacularly beautiful vineyards, high on the lower slopes of Spring Mountain, is Newton Vineyards. Organically farmed and impeccably manicured, this was one of the first outposts to which famed Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland came, and an entire generation of winemakers formed by his brilliance have emerged from Newton. The overall style of the wine is one built on European elegance and longevity. The vintages from the early 1990s are still doing well, especially the 1990 and 1991. Wine Advocate # 174; Dec 2007 Robert Parker (92-94+) Drink: 2011 - 2027

This 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is the first vintage made in our new To Kalon Cellar and represents our highest values - our finest vineyards, our respect for both tradition an innovation, and our unwavering passion for excellence. The To Kalon Cellar brings to life my vision of a winemaking facility equal to the superior quality of the grapes from our historic To Kalon Vineyard. The Cellar's gentle gravity-flow design includes 56 French oak fermentation tanks. The return to oak fermentation enhances the aromas, flavors and complexity into our finest Cabernets, and imparts both immediate approachability and incredible aging potential.

As always, the fruit for this Cabernet Reserve comes from our finest vineyards, including over 50% from our To Kalon Vineyard and a total of 84% from the Oakville appellation. These vineyards consistently produce the most expressive and complex wines; it's no coincidence that they hold some of Napa Valley's oldest vines, which produce powerful, concentrated fruit. This year also marks my father's 90th birthday, which gives us even more reason to celebrate and raise a glass with you. May this wine bring grace to your table and zest to your life. Tim Mondavi

There are 18,000-20,000 cases of the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, one of the finest efforts from this difficult vintage. The wine is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Malbec. It exhibits a deep purple color as well as an elegant, sweet perfume of black currants intertwined with licorice, loamy soil, and hints of mints as well as new oak. It is ripe, long, and structured, with medium to full body, outstanding purity and concentration, and a persistent finish. This elegant Cabernet will be at its finest between 2006-2020. Wine Advocate # 142; Aug 2002 Robert Parker (90-92 points)

This wine comes from the Devil’s Gulch Vineyard in Marin County (in northern California, wedged between Sonoma County to the north and the San Pablo Bay to the south). This wine has the Thackrey stamp, carrying substantial weight in black fruits and spice, with menthol and varietal characters entwined. This is a powerful wine, which may remind some of Waipara or Otago in weight. It works as a rich Californian style, though it’s a harmonious example of Pinot Noir through and through.

Unusual aromatics featuring floral, particularly roseate, musk and sage scents. The pedigree of the fruit shows through on the palate with the fruitiness offset with notes of spice and edible flowers. Smoothly textured with soft tannins and respectable finesse. Failed to noticeably improve after two days from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, so I am not sure cellaring will significantly alter the wine. Very good - Prince of Pinot.com

This Sangiovese comes from the famous Eaglepoint Ranch in Mendocino, which is on the coast north of San Francisco. These wines represent a different view of the grape and are at once varietal and Californian at the same time. You will be struck by the richness, classic Thackrey spice and menthol, with very fine characters like mocha, cedar, fig, prune, allspice and earth. Medium to full bodied and carrying a warmth of alcohol just on 15%. Both vintages were considered good to excellent, and are aging beautifully. “This is as good as Sangiovese can get in California”, Robert Parker

This is the wine, the Sirius (also from the Eaglepoint Ranch in Medocino), which really got me excited about tracking down Sean’s wines. It’s because this style of Petit Sirah (see the label) is truly unique and we simply cannot make wines like this in Australia. It’s all about contained power- both of these wines are black, mouth coating and unctuous. They are also incredible complex, fine, multi layered and faceted wines. They will reward patience but also offer something special when young.

(89% Grenache, 9.5% Syrah, and 1.5% Viognier; 20% whole clusters/stems) will be the shorter barrel-aged version. Its inky/purple color is followed by sweet kirsch, raspberry, pepper, spice, roasted herb, and licorice aromas. Full-bodied with beautiful richness, precision, and purity, this is another terrific effort already displaying tremendous aromatic presence as well as a freshness that is pure genius given the wine’s size and richness. 95 – 97/100 points; The Wine Advocate, Aug 2009

The recently released 2004 Poker Face (96% Syrah, 2.5% Mourvedre, and 1.5% Viognier) comes from the Eleven Confessions, White Hawk, Alban, Bien Nacido, and Alta Mesa vineyards. Boasting classic blackberry, creme de cassis, charcoal, acacia flower, and subtle background toasty oak notes, it possesses a fabulous texture, beautiful richness and purity, and a finish that lasts nearly a minute. It is a wine of enormous richness, multiple dimensions, and unreal purity. Although approachable, it benefits from several hours of decanting, and should evolve for 15 or more years.

To reiterate, it is a challenge to analyze these wines. I know they are distinctive, and I think I am beginning to understand why they are so much greater than just about every other Syrah or Grenache-based wine in California. In short, it is talent and incredibly meticulous hard work. No one works as hard or is as maniacal about a vineyard’s viticulture and winemaking as Manfred Krankl. Take that, add in exceptional talent, humility, top-notch vineyards, and I believe I understand the fundamentals of why these wines are so special. Wine Advocate # 172; Aug 2007 Robert Parker 100 points Drink 2007 - 2022 $485-$1250