1998 penfold's bin 407 cab

[newsguy]

($22.49) dark garnet, nearly opaque, with slight orange around the rim. extracted, dark red fruits and cedar, with thick, mouthcoating feel. fine, slightly drying tannins. very good wine, but didn't pass my barrelli creek test. i think the gallo sonoma barrelli creek is the best $20 cab on the market, and that's the measuring stick i use for wines in that price range.

but after a night with the vacu-vin, the penfold's showed marked improvement on day 2. the red fruits had become black fruits, and raisins and licorice joined the mix. this added complexity was quite welcome, and think it fortells more improvement ahead for this vintage of the 407. while the flavors seem to have some maturing still to do, i wonder how long the tannins will be able to carry this wine. drink now through 2008, but patience will be rewarded. 91+/90.