Moderately fruity, nicely extracted and showing highlights of loam and woodsy spice in its ample aromas, this rounded and fairly full-bodied effort is all about ripe cherries on the palate and smacks faintly of good Merlot in its juicy style. It finds plenty of firming Cabernet Sauvignon tannins on the back end, however, and it very much needs a good four or five years before reaching its best form.

Good deep bright ruby. Complex aromas and flavors of cassis, leather, earth, game, tobacco and sexy smoky oak, with a minty nuance emerging with air. Creamy-sweet and expansive in the mouth, with an almost exotic character to the intense fruit. As lush as this is, though, it maintains firm shape. Finishes with substantial broad, dusty tannins and impressive lingering sweetness.

big wine. complex. texture!

Gave to jim and mercedes

91 points