With good density, this is a success for the vintage. It has ripe, smooth fruit, flavors of black berry, the tannins well integrated. Age for a year. ——R.V.(6/1/2011)—— 87

A wine that tries too hard. The extract is strong, giving some bitterness. And, although the berry fruits are sweet and rich, the tannins edge the fruit with hardness. On the finish, some smokiness enhances the black currant juice, but that astringency just won’t go away.——R.V.(3/1/2009)—— 84

A ripe, full, fruity wine, showing Merlot softness and some attractive red berry and fruit cake flavors. This has a light sense of structure, but needs no aging. ——R.V.(2/1/2007)—— 85