Sweet oak is everywhere apparent from first sniff on through the moderately tannic finish of this solid youngster, but so too is a nice sense of concentrated cherry-like fruit, at least until heat and astringency close out its finish. We like the wine's mass and its impressions of richness, and we are sure that five or six years will be of significant help, but it is presently inelegant stuff and never quite promises to be anything else short of at least a decade in bottle.

Good deep red-ruby. Reduced nose offers redcurrant, plum, coffee and smoke. Sweet, lush and creamy on entry, then chewy and tactile if a bit closed in the middle, with suggestions of darker fruits and mocha. Impressively broad on the back, showing a serious wave of finishing fruit, but the tannins are a bit sullen today. Give this very lush, long wine at least seven or eight years of cellaring.