Dark and thick in the way of Malbec, this is big, rich and gooey, powerful in chocolate fudge, blackberry jam, licorice and smoky oak flavors. It’s not particularly complicated or ageworthy, but it’s softly delicious.——S.H.(9/1/2007)—— 86

If you’re looking for fat, opulent Napa fruit, go elsewhere. This wine has an unrelieved austerity. The coffee and soy flavors are super-tannic and searingly dry. Hard to tell what the winemaker was thinking. Maybe it’ll go somewhere in the cellar. ——S.H.(11/15/2006)—— 84

Normally used for blending, Malbec on its own can be one-dimensional, as this wine is. It’s dark, full-bodied, dry and tannic, with berry and herb flavors. That about says it all.——S.H.(11/1/2005)—— 84