That's a fascinating mixed case. I think it's a good idea for the California Cabs, actually. So many people express preferences for Rutherford or Oakville or SLD. Good way to get all your favorites at once.

Honestly, at $850 for a case ... that doesn't, at first, strike me as completely out of line. I'm not familiar with all the producers, though. Pine Ridge's SLD has shot up in price since the 1999, which got rave reviews. I'm still sitting on a bottle of it.

When I was out in Napa back in June, I was seriously disappointed in the 2001 Cabs. I thought they were wildly uneven and, for the most part, pretty mediocre. Darioush blew me away, as did the Caymus Special Selection (yeah, big surprise there!). But for the most part, I was looking for a standout vintage and didn't find one. (Unrelated aside ... I found much better luck with the Russian River Valley Pinots. Bless Pinot Noir!)