A huge improvement over prior vintages. Opens with powerful blackberry and balsamic aromas along with char. Feels comfortable, with toasty, oaky blackberry flavors accented by spice and pepper. Toasted and chocolaty on the finish. A full-bodied, smoky bruiser; only 290 cases made.
— M.S.
(3/1/2012)
Blackberry and plum aromas have just enough leather and horsehide accents to give this wine character. The mouth is centered squarely on purple fruits like plum and wild blackberry, and the feel and finish are comfortable and fresh. Lively and with all the basics in the right places.
— M.S.
(8/1/2009)
For Torrontés, this is a juicy, solid example. Smells of orange blossom and lychee, which is backed up by a thorough palate with lime, lemon and tangerine flavors. Shows balance, verve, modest depth and clarity. Drink now.
— M.S.
(3/1/2012)
Cherry and earth aromas have a hint of leather, which adds rusticity to the wine. Can’t-miss notes of clove and nutmeg seriously bolster flavors of cherry and plum, and by the time the finish rolls around, that clove quality is magnified. Ultimately this is a spicy, leaner Cab, but good acids and tannins keep it upright.
— M.S.
(7/1/2004)
Spicy and saucy on the nose, with hints of barnyard and leather. Opens to show crisp plum and berry flavors in front of a spicy, grippy finish. Not tannic per se, but fairly tight. Imported by Southern Wine Group.
— M.S.
(11/15/2005)
Slightly granular smelling and seemingly oversized on the bouquet. In the mouth it folds itself back into standard form, with earthy, jammy flavors of wild berry and spice. Seems a touch heavy and slightly green on the finish, but overall it gets the job done.
— M.S.
(5/1/2011)
Rubbery, tarry and quite black in nature, with a full-bodied mouthfeel and meaty, spicy dark-berry flavors. This ranks as a voluminous wine with a heavy disposition; it’s sweet and spicy late, with generic bold-fruit character throughout.
— M.S.
(3/1/2011)
Scratchy on the nose, with raspberry and plum aromas. The palate has a generic, rubbery feel and sweet, standard cherry, cassis and plum flavors. Medicinal and rubbery on the finish, but will go well with basic foods like pizza, spaghetti or a burger.
— M.S.
(3/1/2011)