Exhibiting a deep red hue, black at its core, the 2009 Sarapo Elena offers scents of ripe berry with tobacco undertones. The palate, concentrated yet light on its feet, mingles a hint of olive with bright currant flavors and rich spices that linger on the finish and cry out for lamb chops, steak, or stuffed Portobello mushrooms. Cabernet Sauvignon made predominantly from the Oak Knoll region of Napa then blended with fruit from Calistoga, this wine was aged 18 months in mixed French and American Oak barrels, about one-third new. The Sarapo Elena strikes a balance between fruit, structure and the expression of true Cabernet.