Concentrated, compact, ripe and generously oaked, this potent wine tilts towards chocolate and woodspice with hints of mint and finds its dry cherry fruit serving as a backdrop more than as the focus of the wine. Still, the wine is full in body, and it has a nice suppleness at entry that firms and narrows slightly towards the finish. It needs a few years in bottle, but it does not seem to be the kind of wine that should be put away in the dim recesses of your cellar for long aging.

Deep ruby. Tangy, seductive aromas of black raspberry, toast, flowers and dark chocolate. Rich, thick, supple and harmonious; very strong extract. Very long finish features sweet tannins. This is superb for the vintage, and more stylish than it appeared from barrel a year ago.

Rating for United States-California: 90 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: too young, let it sit<br/>