Leathery, tobaccoey top notes start this wine off on the wrong foot, and there is precious little that its modest black cherry fruit can do to bring things back into inviting focus. Supple and a bit rounded on the palate and inviting in that regard, it is attractive at the front but coarse, somewhat stiff and dryingly tannic by the time it finishes.

Rating for United States-California: 92 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: unpredictable<br/>