Meriting the same rating I gave it at its release, the 2006 Cariad is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. One of the stars of the vintage, this thrilling, opaque purple-colored wine offers up sweet espresso, jus de viande, blackberry, blueberry, flower and chocolate aromas. A fabulous texture, tremendous purity, sensational brightness and authoritative flavor intensity allied to striking complexity and elegance are the signature of this creative blend from the David Abreu vineyards of Thorevilos and Madrona Ranch. Six hundred cases were produced. Give this wine another 3-4 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the following 15+.

Saturated medium ruby. Knockout nose combines dark berries, pungent minerality, mocha, spices, dried herbs and grilled meat, plus an exotic liqueur-like element. Huge, oily and broad but quite uncompromisingly dry and not yet filled in. Finishes with substantial but ripe tannins. At present I don't find this quite as long as the 2005 model, but it's still early days.