Great acidity and structure, with a tightly wound fruit component of dusty blackberry, licorice, ripe red plum. There is a weighty emollience bordering on velvet, but with a layer of fine tannin as underpinning, hopefully for aging. Alcohol is there, but the wine is still balanced, by virtue of the big, sweet fruit. As good as we've done from the 7 acre block.

Good medium red. Candied, slightly syrupy red fruit aromas, along with a whiff of mint. Smooth and appealing, with red fruit syrup and pepper flavors shaped by firm acids. A bit sweeter and fleshier than the Corral Creek Vineyards bottling, as well as more delineated. Finishes with dusty, mouthcoating tannins and a hint of dryness.

Rating: 89/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 143 on Oct-02

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 12/15/02

Rating for United States-Oregon: 86 (average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: young, aging quickly, could be good now<br/>