Tasting notes:

The former home of the Silverado Western Center, the equestrian centre at the southern end of the Silverado Trail on the eastern side of Napa Valley, Black Stallion Estate Winery has top-quality vines instead of prize-winning horses. This masterful wine is equal to the winning horse of the Kentucky Derby or the Epsom Derby – a classic three-year-old with a great future. Very deep ruby-coloured, the wine displays concentrated dark cherry and blackberry fruit with toasty oak and an aromatic violet nuance. Dry, but sweet-fruited, the palate shows very ripe flavours, balanced by lively acidity and velvet-textured tannins, accented by black pepper, myriad spices and warming alcohol. Beautifully integrated, even now, this wine is complex and complete. An excellent choice for roasted quail in a red wine and juniper berry sauce. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)