Ripe and rich, with a lot of dark fruit on the nose. The palate is a bit more snappy than the bouquet as it deals upright black cherry flavors resting on a bed of detectable acidity. There’s ample oak late in the game, but the fruit and overall quality of the wine can handle it. This is one of La Rosa’s better efforts in recent years.——M.S.(3/1/2007)—— 89

Aromas of cherry and strawberry are alluring, but the mouth is rock hard and very tannic. Flavors of raspberry and cassis are lively and drill deep, but you have to have a brick layer’s tolerance for tannins to get the most of this wine. Should be served with meat or other big foods. ——M.S.(10/1/2006)—— 85