Wine Review: Buoncristiani 2006 "The Core" Cabernet Sauvignon

Finally opened our bottle of Buoncristiani 2006 "The Core" Cabernet Sauvignon tonight. Maybe should have waited longer, but, well, it was here, and I knew it would be good. It's one of the more expensive bottles I've ever bought ($120, I think), so I was a little nervous about opening it. I shouldn't have been - it's a Buoncristiani! By far one of the best vineyards I've tasted wine from. This wine has a super concentrated, dark inky purple color with a dense flavor. The Buoncristiani website references a pencil lead aroma - which is totally accurate. I noticed some herb in there, too.

*Update* Later in the evening, I noticed dark chocolate / coffee, nutty fruit tart, and red meat in the aroma. Spicy licorice and sweet vanilla unfolded in the flavor profile. There's a ton of structure with this wine!