For the last few months, we have been featuring a very special Napa Valley red wine, 2005 Transformation, from the soon-to-be-well-known Jaffe Estate. Gary and Pam Jaffe's first release is absolutely stunning, delicious and satisfying. Everyone who has purchased and tasted this wine is raving about it. We were not surprised at all when we learned that the Wine Enthusiast will be awarding it 94 points in an upcoming edition.

The vines that produce Jaffe Estate wines grow right alongside the only private research-grade observatory in the Napa Valley. Gary and Pam built this observatory because they are avid astronomy hobbyists. Grapes and stars converge at Jaffe Estate to create wines of impeccable balance. The 2005 Transformation is a proprietary blend of estate-grown Cabernet and Merlot.

The wine bears the distinctive Jaffe Estate label, designed to represent the veraison process from bud break to full ripening. The colored spheres correlate to the different stages in the grape growth cycle; they also suggest planetary phases in the night sky.

Inspired by the wines of Bordeaux's Right Bank, the 2005 Transformation is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. The barrel fermentation technique helps to marry the wood into the structure of the wine and permits the stirring of the lees in barrel to enhance the supple texture. Firmer elements of the Cabernet Sauvignon also play a role to add structure. It is an earthy, smoky, more subtle expression of the Jaffe vineyard. This wine entices with aromas of raspberries, violets and black currants. The palate is velvet from entry to finish, with red currant, raspberry, blackberry, subtle flavors of allspice and notes of earth and smoke appearing by turns.

The Duke has this perfectly-balanced beauty available for $58.00 per bottle - buy a 6-pack for $330.00 each.

Call the Duke today!!