Good and dry, with pleasant blackberry flavors and lots of peppery spices. The texture is a bit uneven, though, with clunky tannins and some green notes. Drink now.——S.H.(10/1/2010)—— 85

Hot and harsh, with semi-sweet flavors of black currants, chocolate and pepper. Drink this rustic wine with barbecue.——S.H.(5/1/2009)—— 83

Another love-it-or-hate-it wine that ended up with a mid-80s score. Supporters touted the wine’s blackberry and blueberry fruit and richly textured tannins that should allow the wine to improve with age, while detractors focused on candied fruit and a finish they found short.——W.E.(9/1/2005)—— 85

Boasts bacon and pepper aromas, along with toast and mixed berries. Rich and chewy on the palate, its dense flavors include hints of blackberries, fruitcake and chocolate. The flavors and texture are a bit Port-like (but dry) and finish long and tart, with masses of soft, ripe tannins. Hold 2–3 years and drink through 2010. Top Value.——W.E.(11/1/2001)—— 90

A chalky element provides character and offsets this wine’s ripe, but not overly sweet ,black cherry fruit here. There’s a green herb presence, too, that some tasters found very attractive, others less so. This shows some structure and could evolve over a year or two. Closes long with cocoa, oak and a reprise of the chalk note.——W.E.(10/1/2001)—— 85