Hedonistically, this wine deserves an outstanding score, but there was not enough complexity to merit such a lofty rating. I decided there was not. Eight-hundred cases of this blend of equal parts old vine Grenache and Syrah were made. Equal parts were aged in new oak casks and tanks and then blended prior to bottling. It is a powerful, surprisingly concentrated 1997 with a dark ruby/purple color as well as user-friendly notes of black cherries, berries, pepper, tar, and dried herbs. The wine is deep and full-bodied, with no hard edges. This supple-textured, pure, delicious offering should be drunk over the next 2-3 years.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083