A complex bouquet of mint, meat, earth and tobacco opens this reserved wine. A blend of approximately 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, with small amounts of Carignane and Mourvedre, it's dry and fairly tart on the palate with a chalky overlay to the licorice and dried fruit flavors. Firmly structured and a bit hard now, it needs a few years to show fully. It closes with a meaty, herb-metallic and black pepper finish.——W.E.(11/15/2001)—— 88

——J.C.(3/1/2004)—— 84