Wine Enthusiast:  Rated as Superb - one of the greats.  "It’s absolutely delicious, offering a range of blackberry, black currant and cedar flavors, complexed with notes of chocolate, anise, sweet smoky leather and Asian spices. Beautiful now for its velvety softness, but has the inherent structure to last for a long time. Through 2014, and much longer if you like older Cabernet."  Dec 2009

Winery:  "Since its inaugural 1936 vintage, our flagship wine has been considered the benchmark of Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford. Its bold varietal expression and impeccable structure come from our historic Rutherford estate and our dedication to innovation in both vineyard and winery.  Our 2006 George de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon commemorates the 70th vintage of this exceptional wine. The 1936 George de Latour Private Reserve was the original California private reserve and first wine from Napa Valley to gain international recognition. To this day, it remains the ultimate artistic expression of Cabernet Sauvignon at Beaulieu Vineyard. We use handcrafted detail with small-lot fermentation, a portion of which is executed in barrel, for seamless integration of flavors and rich, silky complexity.

The 2006 Georges de Latour Private Reserve marries refined elegance with opulent intensity and robust character. It woos the senses with heady aromas of blackberry bramble, ripe cassis, mocha and spice. Dark, concentrated fruit picks up intensity across the palate, joined by classic Rutherford notes of black licorice, loam and coffee. Formidable body is balanced by firm tannins that span the midpalate and linger with hints of cocoa through the smooth finish."

Wired For Wine:  This Private Reserve Cabernet has many seductive layers, and you are going to want to swim through each and every one.  Suit up wine lovers; you do NOT want to miss this showstopper.  Our favorite choice for this velvety beauty is Mario Batali's grilled lamb chops with garlic confit and mint (click here for recipe).  Next to them, nestle some eggplant involtini, thin slices of eggplant, wrapped around ricotta, egg and spices, which are then baked in a tomato sauce. This is a robust meal, which is the least that this Georges de Latour deserves.  If you prefer a different meat, this deep ruby diva warrants a special trip to the butcher for some thick, marbled steaks of your choice.  Grill them the way you like, and serve them with a rich sauce like Béarnaise, next to potatoes your favorite way.  You won't believe your taste buds.  If you have any room left, we suggest a slice of dense bittersweet chocolate tart sprinkled with toasted pine nuts.  Andiamo!

Size:  750 ml
Vintage:  2006
Varietal:  93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Alcohol:  15.1%
Barrel aging:  22 months in 86% French & 14% American oak; 82% new
Region:  Napa Valley, California