The bouquet is a mish-mash of tomato, barrel char, plum and pine, and together it doesn’t exactly sing. The palate is jammy and sweet, and oak comes up aggressively on the back end. By the time the wine finishes, all you have is mouth full of spicy oak, which some folks weaned on this flavor might very well enjoy. ——M.S.(9/1/2003)—— 83