Deep, dark, cherry-ridden elixir with a predictable grimy nose peeling off gobs of mineral and deep cassis. Berry and bluster abound: a textbook Happy Canyon cab. I chose not to decant, as this wine is ripe and round, not showing too many things decanting will elevate. Age, perhaps, but more air: no.

Lovely vegetal ire introduces the taste, all polished down on rather user-friendly distiction departing not-too-different ways. Oak hits early and late, a testament to modern cab production. Lush and sweet, the finish going more heated than tannic, all-in-all an easy wine capable of supporting a multitude of rich dishes or sipping alone in now-classic California Cabernet fashion.

2019 DUSTY NABOR Cabernet Sauvignon Happy Canyon Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara Co. 14.5

http://dustynaborwines.com/