Rich, toasty, black cherry, blackcurrant, coffee and chocolate nose. Classy and elegant palate with sweet, grippy tannins, lithe acidity, a soft texture and sensuous in style.

A great Bordeaux-style wine that can stand proudly next to Napa bottlings that cost far more. It’s mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with the other four permitted Meritage varieties, and there seems to be lots of new, sweetly toasted oak. The blackberry, cherry, red currant, mocha and bacon flavors are delicious, but even better is the tannic structure. It’s soft and alluring enough to drink now. ——S.H.(12/15/2010)—— 94