This wine gives itself away on the first sniff. Despite having plenty of ripeness to its aromas and clearly gifted with a dense, extracted character that suggests a tough guy to come on the palate, it falls a trifle short in fruit at the start and is unable to muster enough of it on the palate to overcome its hard- edged tannins at the backend. Close but no cigar is the requisite conclusion with this one.

Medium red. Smoky red and dark berry aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola and cocoa powder. Round, fleshy, slightly sweet black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors show a touch of warmth and no rough edges. This rich, velvety wine finishes with echoing smokiness and good length.

Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 34 notes)

Rating for United States-Oregon: 93 (good year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: young, aging quickly, could be good now<br/>

Julia's. Outstanding. Could have been decanter. Got plenty of life left.

fruity and berry, wonderful long finish. fantastic, complex wine.

Smooth medium body wine easy to drink

drank at waterfront grill in Seattle