Fiery and wild at first, with aromas of cinnamon, pepper and Juicy Fruit gum. Strange as that may sound, the wine finds a more familiar place on the palate, where plum, cherry and cassis flavors are flashy and the feel is a bit clangy. Rounds out with air and settles down fairly nicely.——M.S.(7/1/2009)—— 86

Dry, lean and sawdusted on the nose, with vanilla aromas blending with simple plum and berry notes. Whole on the palate, with a creamy, mildly tacky feel, while the flavors of red fruits are regular at best and smothered with butter and wood resin. Solid enough but probably too woody given the wine’s weight and overall quality.——M.S.(7/1/2009)—— 85

Fiery and spicy on the nose, with jabby red-fruit flavors of raspberry and pie cherry. The wine is a touch tart and snappy, and the finish is taxed as herbal notes and oak fill the gaps. Very much a typical Chilean Merlot.——M.S.(3/1/2008)—— 84

The nose is pickled and vegetal. Some cherry and raspberry fruit mix on the palate, while the finish is hot and spicy. In the mouth, this wine starts off better than it finishes, so it might be acceptable for low-care, quick consumption.——M.S.(7/1/2003)—— 82

This clean, crisp Merlot is smoky, with ample black fruit in the nose. The sweet, pure black-fruit palate is just as it ought to be, and the black cherry and coffee flavors work together on the finish.——M.S.(3/1/2002)—— 86