Slightly hot and burning, with spice, black fruit, leather and bulk to the nose. Not what you’d call precise or defined, but shows a rich, chewiness that works. Flavors of baked fruit, caramel and chocolate lead to a finish of grabby, tannic black-fruit flavors. On the border between rich and syrupy. ——M.S.(12/1/2009)—— 86

A little gritty and meaty on the nose, with vegetal notes of celery and beans sneaking onto the bouquet. The flavors are fairly generic for New World red wine, so expect plum and berry flavors with some herbal accents and a touch of core bitterness. Reflective of the variety on one hand but generic on the other.——M.S.(9/1/2009)—— 84