Good medium ruby. Black raspberry, spices and fruity pepper on the slightly medicinal nose. Ripe, lush and mouthfilling but quite dry; a big, chewy wine with a deep pepper-and-spice character. Finishes with very suave, pliant tannins.

Saturated ruby. Brooding aromas of black fruits, pepper, mocha, truffle and tree bark. Fat, thick, full and sweet; a powerful wine with impressive volume and huge black fruit flavors. Finishes very long, with thoroughly ripe tannins.

Rating for United States-California: 79 (slightly worse than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: unpredictable<br/>