Blended with 18% Merlot, this shows a mix of black cherry, fig and sweet prune fruit flavors. Some smoke from barrel aging comes in, and it’s good right up to the finish, which has a gluey undertone.——P.G.(5/1/2010)—— 86

Spicy and tough, this is a chewy, dark and tannic wine with strong flavors of black cherry fruit wrapped in thick tannins that taste of green tea and compost. It needs some softening—either bottle age or decanting—and then the rough edges should soften up and the very pretty cherry/berry fruit come front and center.——P.G.(3/1/2008)—— 87

A jammy, ripe red wine the sort of wine that sticks out in a large crowd and wins medals (which it has done, quite successfully) and it is certainly well made in a big, ripe, tannic style. But it is right on the edge of pushing it too far at 14.8% alcohol. ——P.G.(3/1/2007)—— 87