This polished red piles on the oak, with toast, mocha and spice notes. But there's a core of blackberry fruit, and the firm tannins give way to a finish with lingering graphite, anise and floral accents. Drink now through 2015. 1,208 cases made. -TM

91-93 Barrel sample. A wine that hands well together, the spicy wood in balance with the sweet fruit. The acidity is a late extra to this wine, but the tannins give the right promise of aging.——R.V.(12/31/2009)—— 92