Fairly intense in aromas with a good measure black cherry fruit pushed along by an even larger serving of sweet and smoky oak spice, this big, mouthfilling wine is long on ripeness, extract and body, but it is fit with a slightly discordant trim of late-arriving acidity that leaves it a little hard at the finish. Still, there is more than enough richness here to support its much-needed four or five years of cellar time.

Full dark red-ruby. Sexy aromas of cherry, raspberry, tobacco, flowers, roasted nuts and exotic spices. Slightly hard-edged flavors of cherry, raspberry, tobacco and game. Finishes with slightly green acidity and tough tannins.