2008 Maybach, Materium, Oakville 1x750ml

Vinous 94

(from cobbly red soil on the top of the ridge line past Dalla Valle and Showket): Bright red-ruby. Cherry, tobacco and minerals on the nose, lifted by a floral quality that reminded me of cabernet sauvignon. Lush and sweet but also lively and perfumed, with a strong rose petal element and firm acidity enlivening the red fruit flavors. This captivating, juicy wine really saturates the mouth and lingers on the aftertaste. Winemaker Thomas Brown noted that it has the lowest pH ("3.6 at the most") of all the cabernets he makes for his various clients. [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/2011]

Robert Parker 96

The 2008 Materium comes from a single block called the Weitz Vineyard at a 1,000-foot elevation on the eastern hillsides of Oakville. It would be hard to improve upon the virtually perfect 2007, but the 2008 is not far behind. Notes of graphite, blueberry, charcoal, spring flowers, and some background oak are followed by a dense, purple-colored wine with full-bodied power, great elegance, precision, and purity. This is again an extraordinary effort from Maybach. It should drink well for 20-25 years. www.maybachwine.com [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 23/12/2010]

Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035