Tried two enjoyable cabernets from the Spring Mountain AVA above and to the west of the town of St. Helena. Is it the terroir/appellation but they shared an intensity of anise fruit that was enjoyable as a sipping wine...without being "jammy".
Keenan 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain Estate. This is one of the first mountain top wineries one comes to when climbing the hill from St. Helena. And a grueling, painful hill it is, with 1.7 miles easily averaging well over 15% in steepness. So...as a cyclist I always like seeing this small winery's sign! Anyway...third time trying this wine and I continue to enjoy it. Intense licorice fruit, oak is restrained, nicely polished tannins. We all really enjoyed this one!
Vineyard 7 Cabernet Savignon 2004. From 2,000+ feet in elevation. More oak than the Keenan, but very, very fresh core of acidity that I enjoyed quite a bit. Definitely some lovely anise/licorice notes as well. Delicious. I may slightly prefer the Keenan, but that acid really stood out!