Good ruby-red. Spicy, roasted aromas of cassis, black plum, toasty oak and pepper. Lush, jammy and a bit undifferentiated; showing its baby fat today. Seems distinctly less lively than the '95, but the tannins are quite fine for the vintage and there excellent finishing persistence.

Community Tasting Notes (average 92.4 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 94 notes)

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