PlumpJack, Oakville (Napa Valley, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

This big and bold (15% stated alcohol) Cabernet is terrific, reflecting its origins, but needs time to settle down and unwind. It’s a bit like an undeveloped, but talented, young athlete. The focus is on powerful black fruit flavors — plums and black currants — but there’s far more going on here, with hints of exotic spice. One can see the wine’s potential. The tannins are plenty polished and appropriate for the wine’s size. At this stage, it’s just tightly wound and would benefit from a few years in the cellar.