91-93 points!
The Wine Advocate
The impressive 2004 West Face boasts a deep purple color as well as a big, opulent, flamboyant nose of dried herbs, high quality cigar smoke, black currants, and cherry liqueur. Spicy, intense, and medium to fullbodied, with plenty of sweet tannin and a lush texture, it can be drunk over the next decade.
- Robert Parker, Jr.

PreVail was born out of Don Carano's desire to make a great Cabernet Sauvignon from Ferrari-Carano's two mountain vineyards. A project that began in 1996 with the planting of select French clones on two different, rugged mountain vineyard sites has resulted in remarkable wines of profound character, complex with intense flavors, yet graceful and balanced; wines which truly bring honor to the Mountain Estate vineyards from which they are born.

The grapes for West Face are grown on the steep slopes of Ferrari-Carano’s LookOut Mountain which sits at the junction of Alexander Valley, Knights Valley and Chalk Hill appellations. This spectacular mountain vineyard boasts 360 degree views, soaring in elevation from 500 to 1,400 feet, with soils deep, red and rich with nutrients. This site produces a wine with aromas of mocha, blackberry and caramel balanced by a plush middle palate of ripe blackberry, cherry and currant. Earthy, smoky notes pose as a prelude to finishing flavors of toffee, espresso and chocolate while attractive tannins yield a delicious finish that lasts several minutes.